Photocatalytic decomposition of CCl4 on Zr-MCM-41

Photocatalytic decomposition of CCl4 (80 mg L−1 in H2O) effected by Zr-MCM-41 (Zr incorporated in the amorphous wall of MCM-41) has been studied in the present work. Experimentally, photocatalytic decomposition of CCl4 on Zr-MCM-41 was enhanced by about 1.96 times over that on ZrO2. Photocatalytic decomposition of CCl4 may proceed via a two-electron transfer process that yields mainly CHCl3, Cl− and H2. Since little C2Cl2, C2Cl6 or CH2Cl2 was found, it is unlikely that CHCl3 involved in the secondary photocatalytic degradation process. In addition, photocatalytic splitting of H2O on Zr-MCM-41 was also enhanced. The yield of H2 was 6.5 mmol (g ZrO2)−1. About 68% of this hydrogen (6.5 mmol (g ZrO2)−1) was consumed in the photocatalytic decomposition of CCl4.