Photodegradation of Fipronil by Zn-AlPO4 Materials Synthesized by Non-Hydrolytic Sol–Gel Method

In recent decades, the increasing use of pesticides to improve food productivity has led release effluents that contaminate environment. To prepare a material may help treat generated during agricultural practice, we used new method based on non-hydrolytic sol-gel route obtain zinc photocatalysts in aluminophosphate matrixes. IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, differential scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersion and specific surface area pore volume determined from nitrogen adsorbed were characterize materials treated at different temperatures. analysis showed how heat-treatment affected structure material: Zn-AlPO4 trigonal orthorhombic phase was obtained 750 1000 °C, respectively. These phases directly influenced ability generate OH radicals. The capacity tested photodegradation pesticide Fipronil. photocatalytic reactions monitored by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses. °C better results--it removed 80% 2 h when higher mass (150 mg) tested. Long-time treatment effluent with completely photodegraded GC-MS confirmed photodegration profile, only traces Fipronil observed after reaction for 120 min presence under UV radiation.