Enhanced photodegradation of pentachlorophenol by single and mixed cationic and nonionic surfactants

► Both cationic and nonionic surfactant enhanced photodegradation of PCP by TiO2. ► Mixed cationic-nonionic surfactant better enhanced photodegradation. ► Enhancement of photodegradation can be due to increased adsorption. ► Synergism existed between cationic and nonionic surfactants on TiO2 surface. ► FTIR helped to better understand structure of mixed surfactants on TiO2 surface.