Investigation of the photocatalytic degradation of organochlorine pesticides on a nano-TiO2 coated film.

ABSTRACT

The photocatalytic degradation of organochlorine pesticides including alpha-, beta-, gamma-, delta-hexachlorobenzene (BHC), dicofol and cypermethrin were carried out on a nano-TiO(2) coated films under UV irradiation in the air. The photocatalytic conditions, including the amount of TiO(2), irradiation time and the intensity of light were optimized. The pesticides were most effectively degraded under the condition of 2.24 mg/cm(2) on TiO(2) film and a 400W UV irradiation of high-pressure mercury lamp with a wavelength of 365 nm. A typical organochlorine pesticide, 20 microg alpha-BHC, was dipped onto the TiO(2) film surface and degraded completely within 20 min. In addition, the photocatalytic degradation pathways on the nano-TiO(2) coated film were discussed.