Effect of simulated solar light on the autocatalytic degradation of nitrobenzene using Fe3+ and hydrogen peroxide

The effect of simulated solar light on nitrobenzene degradation in Fe3+/H2O2 solutions was investigated under different experimental conditions. Consumption profiles of NBE and H2O2 display an autocatalytic kinetic behavior for both dark and photo-assisted degradation experiments. The rates of the initial slow phase that precedes the catalytic phase are significantly enhanced by irradiation, although the effect of simulated solar light on the rates of the fast phase is negligible. The absolute rates of the slow phase increase with the concentrations of Fe3+ and H2O2, whereas the initial rate of the degree of conversion increase decreases with organic matter loading. The reaction progress was characterized by HPLC, GC–MS, IC, TOC (total organic carbon) and toxicity analyses. The main products detected were 4-nitrophenol, 3-nitrophenol, 2-nitrophenol, 1,3-dinitrobenzene, phenol, oxalic acid, formic acid, NO2− and NO3−. Product distribution profiles are discussed in connection with TOC and toxicity measurements. The results show that dark treatment is neither capable of lowering the organic content nor capable of reducing the effluent toxicity to acceptable levels. On the other hand, photo-assisted processes induced by simulated solar light can significantly enhance both mineralization and detoxification efficiencies.