Decomposition of Anionic Sodium Dodecylnemzene Sulfonate by UV/TiO2 and UV/H2O2 Processes a- Comparison of Reaction Rates

Abstract

<em>Anionic DBS surfactant can be photodegraded in a TiO₂ dispersion and H₂O₂ solution under an Hg-lamp (15 W) UV illumination or solar exposure. Degradation process has been monitored through cleavage of aromatic moiety. Degradation of the detergent was small when the photolysis was carried out in the absence of TiO₂ and H₂O₂ and it was negligible in the absence of light. Most of the curves representing the semi-log of pollutant concentration versus time were nearly linear, suggesting first order reactions. In the UV/TiO₂ process, the extent of surfactant degradation was found to be influenced by the TiO₂ loading, initial detergent concentration, agitation rate, temperature and initial pH. The UV peroxide degradation of the anionic detergent (DBS) by the UV/H₂O₂ process is more effective the UV/TiO₂ process making it a promissable method for destroying the aquatic pollutants. A combination of UV and Solar light is used, degradation of DBS it is more effective than UV/H₂O₂ process.</em>