RESUMEN
In this study, the performance of photo-Fenton reaction on decomposition of toluene was investigated by a flowing column using toluene as a representative of volatile organic pollutants (VOCs). The effects of initial pH, H2O2 concentration, Fe2+ concentration, initial concentration of toluene on degradation of toluene by photo-Fenton reaction were evaluated. Mass spectrometry and gas chromatograph were utilized to detect the products. The results showed that the introduction of UV greatly enhanced the Fenton reaction by improving the generation of hydroxyl radicals. When the initial concentration of toluene was 260 mg x m(-3), the toluene removal can achieve 98% under the following experimental conditions: initial pH = 3.0, H2O2 20 mmol x L(-1), Fe2+ 0.3 mmol x L(-1). Furthermore, no other intermediate except CO2 was detected in the reaction that photocatalytic degradation of toluene in waste gas by the photo-Fenton, which indicates all the degraded toluene was mineralized into CO2.