Photocatalytic Degradation of Ortho-Cresol by Zinc Oxide-UV Process

The photocatalytic degradation of ortho-cresol over irradiated ZnO suspensions was investigated in aerated aqueous solution. Complete and relatively fast substrate degradation was achieved after irradiation with UV light, being the reaction rate dependent on the initial pH. The effect of various parameters such as catalyst loading, pH and initial concentration of o-cresol on degradation has been determined. The degradation was strongly enhanced in presence of electron acceptors such as H sub(2)O sub(2), K sub(2)S sub(2)O sub(8), and KBrO sub(3).