Semiconductor-mediated photocatalyzed degradation of a herbicide derivative, chlorotoluron, in aqueous suspensions

The photocatalytic degradation of a herbicide derivative, chlorotoluron [3-(3-chloro-4-methylphenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea, 1], has been investigated in aqueous suspensions of titanium dioxide (TiO2) under a variety of conditions. The degradation was studied by monitoring the change in substrate concentration employing UV spectroscopic analysis technique and depletion in total organic carbon (TOC) content as a function of irradiation time. The degradation kinetics of the model compound was investigated under different conditions such as type of TiO2, pH, catalyst concentration, substrate concentration, temperature, and in the presence of different electron acceptors such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), potassium persulfate (K2S2O8), and potassium bromate (KBrO3) besides molecular oxygen. TiO2 Degussa P25 was found to be a more efficient photocatalyst for the degradation of the model compound as compared with other photocatalysts. The degradation products were analyzed using GC/MS analysis technique and probable pathways for the formation of different products have been proposed.