The photocatalytically driven removal of eco-persistent 4-chlorophenol from water using ZnO is reported here. Kinetic dependence of transformation rate on operating variables such as initial 4-chlorophenol concentration and photocatalyst doses was investigated. A complete degradation of 4-chlorophenol at 50 mg L(-1) levels was realised in 3h. Analytical profiles on 4-chlorophenol transformation were consistent with the best-line fit of the pseudo zero-order kinetics. The addition of small amounts of inorganic anions as SO(4)(2-), HPO(4)(-), S(2)O(8)(2-) and Cl(-) revealed two anion types: active site blockers and rate enhancers. Fortunately, Cl(-) and SO(4)(2-) commonly encountered in contaminated waters enhanced the rate of 4-chlorophenol degradation. The reaction intermediates and route to 4-chlorophenol mineralisation were elucidated by combined RP-HPLC and GC-MS methods. In addition to previously reported pathway products of 4-chlorophenol photo-oxidation catechol was detected. A radical mechanism involving o-hydroxylation is proposed to account for the formation of catechol.
Matched MeSH terms: Water Pollutants/radiation effects*
The effects of ozonation, anion exchange resin (AER) and UV/H2O2 were investigated as a pre-treatment to control organic fouling (OF) of ultrafiltration membrane in the treatment of drinking water. It was found that high molecular weight (MW) organics such as protein and polysaccharide substances were majorly responsible for reversible fouling which contributed to 90% of total fouling. The decline rate increased with successive filtration cycles due to deposition of protein content over time. All pre-treatment could reduce the foulants of a Ultrafiltration membrane which contributed to the improvement in flux, and there was a greater improvement of flux by UV/H2O2 (61%) than ozonation (43%) which in turn was greater than AER (23%) treatment. This was likely due to the effective removal/breakdown of high MW organic content. AER gave greater removal of biofouling potential components (such as biodegradable dissolved organic carbon and assimilable organic carbon contents) compared to UV/H2O2 and ozonation treatment. Overall, this study demonstrated the potential of pre-treatments for reducing OF of ultrafiltration for the treatment of drinking water.
Matched MeSH terms: Water Pollutants/radiation effects