Photodegradation of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol using natural hematite modified with chloride of zirconium oxide

The catalyst NHZr was synthesized using natural hematite and zirconium oxychloride. NHZr was characterized by FT-IR, BET and DRX. This catalyst was applied to photocatalyze 2,4,6-trichlophenol degradation under UV254 nm irradiation. The effects of different parameters such as pH, catalyst concentration, pollutant concentration were studied. The results showed that 96% of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol was degraded in 180 min of treatment with optimum operating conditions of 0.5 g/l of photocatalyst, pH medium and 10 mg/l 2,4,6-trichlorophenol. COD elimination and hydrogen peroxide formation were also investigated. The kinetic results showed that photocatalytic reaction was pseudo-first order. The NHZr was manufactured by products that are readily available, easy to handle, effective on recalcitrant products and has a recyclable character, which gives great value to this photocatalyst.