Photocatalytic degradation of methyl tert‐butyl ether (MTBE) in contaminated water by ZnO nanoparticles |
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Authors: | Akbar Eslami Simin Nasseri Bahram Yadollahi Alireza Mesdaghinia Foroogh Vaezi Ramin Nabizadeh Shahrokh Nazmara |
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Affiliation: | 1. Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Center for Environmental Research (CER), University of Tehran/Medical Sciences, 141556446 Tehran, Iran;2. Department of Chemistry, University of Isfahan, Isfahan 81746‐73441, Iran;3. Department of Chemistry, Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences (IASBS), Gavazang, Zanjan 45138‐79368, Iran |
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Abstract: | BACKGROUND: Over the past several decades methyl tert‐butyl ether (MTBE) as additive to gasoline, intended to either boost ratings of fuel or to reduce air pollution, has been accepted worldwide. Since MTBE has high water solubility, the occurrence of fuel spills or leaks from underground storage tanks or transferring pipeline has led to the contamination of natural waters. In this study the degradation of aqueous MTBE at relatively high concentrations was investigated by a UV‐visible/ZnO/H2O2 photocatalytic process. The effects of important operational parameters such as pH, amount of H2O2, catalyst loading and irradiation time were also investigated. Concentration of MTBE and intermediates such as tert‐butyl formate and tert‐butyl alcohol were measured. RESULTS: Time required for complete degradation increased from 20 to 150 min when the initial concentration was increased from 10 to 500 mg L?1. The first‐order rate constants for degradation of MTBE were estimated to be 0.183–0.022 min?1 as the concentration increased from 10 to 500 mg L?1. Study of the overall mineralization monitored by total organic carbon analysis showed that at an initial concentration of 100 mg L?1 MTBE complete mineralization was obtained after 100 min under UV‐visible/ZnO/H2O2 photocatalysis. CONCLUSION: The data presented in this paper clearly indicated that UV‐visible/ZnO/O2 as an advanced oxidation process provides an efficient treatment alternative for the remediation of MTBE‐contaminated waters. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry |
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Keywords: | photocatalysis MTBE contaminated water zinc oxide hydrogen peroxide |
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