Photocatalytic transformation of sixteen substituted phenylurea herbicides in aqueous semiconductor suspensions: Intermediates and degradation pathways

► Photocatalytic oxidation of phenylurea herbicides (PUHs) in water. ► The study was performed using ZnO and TiO2 under artificial light irradiation. ► PUHs were totally degraded using ZnO/Na2S2O8, ZnO, TiO2/Na2S2O8 and TiO2. ► ZnO is the most efficient photocatalyst for the removal of these herbicides. ► 13 intermediates were identified and a mechanism of degradation has been proposed.