PHOTOCATALYTIC DEGRADATION OF LINEAR ALKYL BENZENE SOLFUNATE FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTION BY TIO^sub 2^ NANOPARTICLES

The possibility of linear alkyl benzene solfunate (LAS) photocatalytic degradation through application of TiO^sub 2^ nanoparticles was investigated. 10(mg/L) of LAS has been affected by either UV or TiO^sub 2^ and simultaneous use of both of them in separated experiments. Moreover, the effect of initial concentrations of LAS and TiO^sub 2^, pH, present various anions and different UV power was studied to determine the optimal operating conditions for LAS degradation in water. The amount of mineralization of LAS was reported by measuring the primary and final COD of the solution that was irradiated under optimized conditions. Maximum degradation was obtained at acidic pH, 50 mg/L of TiO^sub 2^ and 30 minute irradiation time. It was also shown that 99.5% of LAS was degraded in optimal conditions. Kinetic analysis indicated that photo catalytic degradation rates of LAS can be approximated by pseudo-first order model. Measuring the initial and final COD of illuminated solution under optimized conditions, indicated that almost complete mineralization of LAS was occurred. Based on the results, UV/TiO^sub 2^ process may be effectively applied in LAS removal in low concentrations but this process is not economically efficient in high concentrations. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]