Photocatalytic degradation of pentachlorophenol on ZnSe/TiO2 supported by photo-Fenton system

•A new ZnSe/TiO2 NTAs photocatalyst was fabricated by pulse electrodeposition.•The photocatalyst was applied in PCP degradation supported by the Fenton system.•Photocatalytic process with excellent stability was established. In this research, a photocatalyst is prepared by pulse-electrodeposition of ZnSe nanoparticles of 2.7eV bandgap onto the surface of TiO2 nanotube array films. Under AM 1.5G illumination the ZnSe sensitized TiO2 nanotube arrays (ZnSe/TiO2 NTAs) exhibit a significantly increased capability for photocatalytic degradation of pentachlorophenol with support of photo-Fenton system (Fe3+/H2O2/humic acid) which is investigated as oxidants. After 2h illumination 99.0% of pentachlorophenol is removed, compared to 64.0% using the non-sensitized TiO2 NTAs. The studied concentration of Fe3+, H2O2, humic acid in photo-Fenton system were 100μM Fe3+, 75μM H2O2, 220μM, respectively. The initial concentration and stability were investigated to be important factors that influence the photocatalytic degradation and catalytic ability.