Photocatalytic oxidation of salicylic acid and 4-chlorophenol in aqueous solutions mediated by modified AlFe2O3 catalyst under sunlight

The visible light photochemical and photocatalytic oxidation of salicylic acid and 4-chlorophenol in a photoelectrocatalytic degradation reactor, at room temperature, under sunlight illumination, coated with anatase TiO2-based Fe2O3 and AlFe2O3 photocatalysts were investigated. The solar radiation can effectively be applied to accelerate the process using suitable catalyst for economically cleaning the major fresh water sources. The profile of the oxidation of salicylic acid and 4-chlorophenol was followed by monitoring the target compound degradation, the total organic carbon removal and the mineralization process by chemical oxygen demand taking place during the oxidation with simultaneous conversion. Finally, based on the proposed mechanism a kinetic analysis was conducted in order to calculate the respective rate constants.

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► A novel approach for degradation of organic impurities in water is proposed.
► Visible light photocatalysis of TiO2/Fe2O3 for salicylic acid and 4-CP has been studied.
► Degradation is realized by absorption, COD and TOC analysis of samples.
► Comparison of all catalyst in terms of efficient degradation of water is studied.