Kinetics and Mechanism of Sucralose Degradation in Water Using UV-activated Persulfate Process

Abstract

The degradation of emerging pollutant artificial sweetener sucralose (SUC) using UV/persulfate (UV/PS). The effects of several process parameters, including UV light intensity, PS dosage, pH, and anion concentration, were also investigated. The degradation products and their toxicity during the UV/PS process were further analyzed and evaluated. It is reported that, compared with single UV or PS, the degradation of SUC by UV/PS was more obvious. The degradation rate constants increased with an increase in the light intensity and PS dosage. The SUC degradation could be improved under neutral conditions. The background ions NO3- and HCO3- could inhibit the degradation process, while Cl- and SO42- ions could accelerate the process. Sixteen intermediate products were identified using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and GC-MS. Hydroxylation, oxidation, ether cracking, and other reactions were involved. A degradation path was further proposed. Moreover, luminescent bacteria toxicity test and ECOSAR prediction showed that the intermediates with higher toxicity could be produced during UV/PS, which could pose a potential threat to the ecological environment.