Reductive Dechlorination of PCBs Using Photocatalyzed UV Light

Abstract

AbstractFeasibility of photocatalytic dechlorination of PCB‐138 and Aroclor‐1254 using platinum loaded TiO2 (P25) in an alkaline 2‐propanol medium has been investigated. Experiments were conducted in batch mode using a Rayonet photo‐reactor under aerated and deaerated conditions with black lamps emitting around 350 nm as light source. Two forms of platinum deposition were investigated: Photochemically loaded P25 as well as addition of potassium hexachloroplatinate into the reaction medium. Partial dechlorination of PCBs was observed after 7 h of irradiation with pure TiO2 as catalyst when the reaction vessel was kept open to air. Complete dechlorination was observed after 5 h of irradiation in a deaerated environment. Enhanced photocatalytic efficiency was observed when platinum deposited P25 was used as catalyst, with the best result being obtained when aqueous potassium hexachloroplatinate was added into the reaction medium. Lower potassium hexachloroplatinate concentration (0.1 mM) yielded better performance.