The effect of the UV photon flux on the photoelectrocatalytic degradation of endocrine-disrupting alkylphenolic chemicals
2016
da Silva, Salatiel Wohlmuth | Viegas, Cheila | Ferreira, Jane Zoppas | Rodrigues, Marco Antônio Siqueira | Bernardes, Andréa Moura
The photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) degradation of 4-nonylphenol ethoxylate (NP₄EO) using a low, moderate, or high UV photon flux in different treatment times was investigated. The byproducts were verified using gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and gas chromatography with quadrupole mass analyzer (GC-qMS). The GC results showed that the use of a low (2.89 μmol m⁻²s⁻¹) or a high (36.16 μmol m⁻²s⁻¹) UV photon flux reaching the anode surface was associated to the production of alcohols and the toxic byproduct nonylphenol (NP), leading to the same degradation pathway. Meanwhile, the use of a moderate UV photon flux (14.19 μmol m⁻²s⁻¹) reaching the anode surface did not produce alcohols or the NP toxic byproduct. This study demonstrates that different UV photon fluxes will have an influence in the degradation of NP₄EO with or without generation of toxic byproducts. Furthermore, it is concluded that, after the determination of the UV photon flux able to degrade NP₄EO without NP formation, the treatment time is essential in removal of NP₄EO, since increasing the treatment time of 4 to 10 h, when using the PEC best conditions (moderate UV photon flux), implies in a higher treatment efficiency.
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