Photocatalytic Degradation of 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol by MgO–MgFe2O4 Derived from Layered Double Hydroxide Structures

In recent years, the search for solutions for the treatment of water pollution by toxic compounds such as phenols and chlorophenols has been increasing. Phenols and their derivatives are widely used in the manufacture of pesticides, insecticides, paper, and wood preservers, among other things. Chlorophenols are partially biodegradable but not directly photodegradable by sunlight and are extremely toxic—especially 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, which is considered to be potentially carcinogenic. As a viable proposal to be applied in the treatment of water contaminated with 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, this paper presents an application study of the thermally activated Mg/Fe layered double hydroxides as photocatalysts for the mineralization of this contaminant. Activated Mg/Fe layered double hydroxides were characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, N2 physisorption, and scanning electron microscopy with X-ray dispersive energy. The results of the photocatalytic degradation of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol in aqueous solution showed good photocatalytic activity, with an efficiency of degradation of up to 93% and mineralization of 82%; degradation values which are higher than that of TiO2-P25, which only reached 18% degradation. The degradation capacity is attributed to the structure of the MgO–MgFe2O4 oxides derived from double laminate hydroxide Mg/Fe. A path of degradation based on a mechanism of superoxide and hollow radicals is proposed.