KINETICS OF PHOTOCATALYTIC OXIDATION OF PHENOL ON TIO2 SURFACE

The kinetics of photocatalytic oxidation of phenol have been studied experimentally. A kinetic model based on the generation of OH. radicals as the rate-determining step is proposed. The results of the theoretical analysis can be used to explain the inverse initial concentration effect of phenol on the apparent rate constant. The model also can explain the experimental findings such as the pseudo-first-order dependence and the effect of the initial pH value on the initial reaction rate. Moreover, the addition of H2O2 with ferric ions enhances the reaction rate significantly. It has also been discovered that the phenol oxidation rate is controlled by the decomposition rate of H2O2.