Heterogeneous photocatalytic degradation of phenanthrene in surfactant solution containing TiO2 particles

► Degradation of phenanthrene in surfactant solution and the role of surfactant have been elucidated. ► Possible pathway of phenanthrene degradation in surfactant solution is proposed. ► The degradation of phenanthrene follows pseudo-second-order kinetics. ► It is proved that applying the surfactants as solubilizing agents to remove contaminants from soils followed by photocatalytic degradation is a promising strategy for soil remediation.