Investigation of phenol phototransformation in aqueous solution by electronic spectroscopy and luminescence methods

Phenols are the most widespread pollutants of the environment in the world. Investigations of phenol photolysis are of great importance as concerning the phenol removal from water. The experiments have been performed to study phenol phototransformations in aqueous solution at various pH of the samples under UV irradiation. The fluorescence and absorption spectra were recorded. The spectra analysis shows that phenol molecule changes its ionic form under the irradiation. The phenol dimers and other products of photolysis are produced. Strong dependence of phenol photoprocesses on pH was also noticed.