Photocatalytic degradation of chlorophenols using Ru(bpy) 32+ /S2O 82-

Abstract Advanced oxidation processes, such as photocatalysed oxidation, provide an important route for degradation of wastes. In this study, the lowest excited state (3MLCT) of Ru(bpy)32+ is used to break down chlorophenol pollutant molecules to harmless products. This has the advantage of using visible light and a short-lived catalytically active species. Photolysis of deaerated aqueous solutions of a variety of mono- and poly-substituted chlorophenols has been followed in the presence of Ru(bpy)32+/S2O82- with near visible light (? > 350 nm) by UV/visible absorption spectroscopy, luminescence, potentiometry, NMR and HPLC techniques. Upon irradiation, a decrease is observed in the chlorophenol concentration, accompanied by the formation of Cl-, H+ and SO42- ions as the main inorganic products. Benzoquinone, phenol, dihydroxybenzenes and chlorinated compounds were the dominant organic products. As the ruthenium(II) complex is regenerated in the reaction, the scheme corresponds to an overall catalytic process. The kinetics of the rapid chlorophenol photodechlorination has been studied, and are described quite well by pseudo-first order behaviour. Further studies on this were made by following Cl- release with respect to the initial Ru(bpy)32+ and S2O82- concentrations. A comparison is presented of the photodechlorination reactivity of the mono and polychlorophenols studied at acidic and alkaline pH

Accelerated Dissipation of the Herbicide Cycloxydim on Wax Films in the Presence of the Fungicide Chlorothalonil and under the Action of Solar Light.

International audiencePhotolysis is a known dissipation pathway of pesticides on leaves just after their spraying. This pathway may be affected by the residues of other pesticides. To illustrate this idea, this study investigated the mutual effect of two pesticides (chlorothalonil and cycloxydim) under simulated solar light. Cycloxydim was added at the agricultural rate (200 g ha–1) and chlorothalonil at 1.3–10% of the rate (20–150 g ha–1). These compounds were studied either pure or in their commercial formulation. Both analytical and kinetic data show that chlorothalonil significantly accelerates the decay of cycloxydim on wax films, promoting its oxidation, even at the lowest tested dose. Conversely, cycloxydim does not affect the fate of chlorothalonil. Moreover, the detection of oxidized forms of wax alkanes in the extracts demonstrates that chlorothalonil may have also a degrading effect on the leaves’ constituents under the action of solar light