Photocatalytic degradation of monocrotophos and chlorpyrifos in aqueous solution using TiO2 under UV radiation

Monocrotophos (MCP) and chlorpyrifos (CPS) are most popular and broadly used organophosphorous pesticides owing to its low cost and high efficiency in controlling pests in agriculture. Presence of pesticides in aquatic environments causes serious problems to human beings and other organisms. Photocatalytic degradation has been proved to be a promising method for the treatment of water. In view of this, TiO2 photocatalyst was prepared by sol–gel method and characterized by SEM with EDAX, XRD, BET and FTIR. The photocatalytic degradation of MCP and CPS was carried out using prepared TiO2 photocatalyst irradiated with 16 W UV light source. The effect of various parameters, i.e., photocatalyst concentration, pesticide concentration and pH of the solution on the percentage of degradation of selected pesticides had been examined. The kinetic analysis of photodegradation of MCP and CPS under different initial concentration followed the Langmuir–Hinshelwood model. TiO2 found to be an excellent photocatalyst for the degradation of MCP and CPS under UV light irradiation.