Degradation of 2-chlorophenol by Fenton and photo-Fenton processes

The photodegradation of a specific organic pollutant using the Fenton and the photo-Fenton processes has been examined in aqueous solution. The applications of the Fenton process and the photo-Fenton process to the degradation of 2-chlorophenol (2-CP) were investigated. The dependence on the following experimental conditions had been evaluated: initial pH (1.0–9.0), hydrogen peroxide (0.67–2 mM), ferrous ions (0.1–2 mM), initial concentration of 2-CP (0.1–2 mM). The optimal experimental conditions were 1 mM H2O2, 1 mM ferrous ion and pH 3.0. Under the optimal conditions, the degradation efficiency of 2-CP in the photo-Fenton process was enhanced 4% more than that of the Fenton process. Experimental results about the degradation of 2-CP show that UV irradiation improves the degradation efficiency of the Fenton process. The major intermediate formed during the degradation of 2-CP was p-benzoquinone.