Atrazine removal by catalytic oxidation processes with or without UV irradiation

In this study, the photo-catalytic oxidation process (UVCOP) for the removal of atrazine (ATZ) was successfully explored and the design charts for the optimization of the process were developed. The UVCOP was analyzed, mainly by using kinetic information to assist with the reaction mechanism and intermediates that were identified in this study. It was found that UVCOP greatly improves the removal of ATZ compared to sole-UV and dark-COP. In addition, a 'compound effect' is observed in the UVCOP, which supersedes the sum of the sole-UV and dark-COP. This compound effect was therefore investigated through the examination of the kinetic data of all of the three processes, and quantified in terms of the UV intensity and dosages of the reagent used. In addition, the enhancement index was introduced and verified. This is useful for verifying the effectiveness of the compound effect and the design of the UVCOP.