The Influence of the Inorganic Species on Oxidative Degradation of 4-chlorophenol by Photo-Fenton Type Process

An experimental study on 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) degradation in aqueous solutions by advanced oxidation process photo-Fenton type is presented. The efficiency of the oxidation process is determined by the very high oxidative potential of the OH. radicals generated by catalytic and photo-catalytic processes. The presence of the inorganic species inside the reaction medium influences the rate of the oxidation process as function of their nature and concentration. The inorganic anionic species reduce drastically the 4-CP oxidation efficiency by Fe2+/3+ complexing processes, HO. radicals scavenging effect or iron precipitate forming. The decrease of the 4-CP oxidation degree is correlated with the nature of the anions as following: Cl> PO4 3> SO4 2>> NO3 -. The presence of the insoluble inorganic species (bentonite) modifies the oxidation efficiency by additional 4-CP and UV sorption processes, especially at high solution turbidity values.