Degradation of aqueous solutions of camphor by heterogeneous photocatalysis

In this study the photocatalytic degradation of aqueous solutions of camphor was investigated by using TiO2 and ZnO photocatalysts. In the presence of artificial UV-light the highly photosensitive camphor was almost totally degraded after reaction times of 60 min. However, under these conditions the mineralization degree was lower than 25%. In the presence of semiconductors the degradation was complete after a treatment time of about 30 min. Moreover, the mineralization was considerably greater, mainly with the use of TiO2 (>80% at reaction time of 60 min). Heterogeneous photocatalytic processes applied in the presence of solar radiation show a promising degradation capability. TiO2-based processes afforded mineralization degrees of about 90% after a reaction time of 120 min, when the system was assisted by aeration.