Homogenous photocatalytic decomposition of acetic acid using UV-Fe2+/Fe3+ system in the absence of oxygen

Photocatalysis is a promising way to eliminate organic pollution. Here a novel homogenous non-oxygen photocatalytic system was studied. Acetic acid was used as a model substrate to be decomposed into hydrogen, methane, ethane and carbon dioxide continuously by photo-excited Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions. Fluorescence spectra and ultraviolet visible spectra showed that Fe2+ and Fe3+ were excited by ultraviolet light. The rate of acetic acid decomposition increased along with the increase of temperature, Fe2+ and acetic acid concentration. The photocatalytic mechanism and kinetics were proposed and the effects of pH value, reaction temperature, concentration of FeSO4 and CH3COOH were investigated.