Study of photocatalytic reaction mechanism in degradation of furfural in industrial wastewater

In an attempt to improve our understanding of the basic mechanisms of the degradation of aromatic pollutants, the photocatalytic reactions of a few selected organic compounds, has been investigated in the presence of titanium dioxide and molecular oxygen. In the present work we have identified the reaction intermediates that produced in the treatment of furfural contaminated water. Experiments were carried out in a photochemical reactor made of Pyrex glass and glass was coated with TiO2 particles, have been used as a photo catalyst. For distinct intermediates we used LC/MS and GC/MS techniques. The results obtained are shown that some components in the course of reaction such as acetic, fumaric, acrylic and formic acids are produced.

Keywords:

Photocatalyst , Degradation , Furfural , TiO2 , Mechanism