Heterogeneous photo-Fenton process with zerovalent iron nanoparticles for degradation of toluene in aqueous solution

Degradation of toluene by treatment with zerovalent iron nanoparticles and different H2O2 concentrations under UVA light has been analyzed at pH 3. The highest removal of toluene was found with 100 mg L-1 nZVI and 400 mg L-1 H2O2, but 100 and 200 mg L-1 of H2O2 were used in most experiments as the degradation rate was similar. Experiments with Fe(II) (10 and 1 mg L-1) were performed for comparison. Benzaldehyde and bibenzyl were found the main oxidation products. nZVI could be reused without loss of efficiency. A mechanism was proposed.

Automated summary

This study investigated the degradation of toluene through treatment with zerovalent iron nanoparticles and different H2O2 concentrations under UVA light. The highest removal of toluene was achieved with 100 mg L-1 nZVI and 400 mg L-1 H2O2, although similar degradation rates were observed with 100 and 200 mg L-1 H2O2. Benzaldehyde and bibenzyl were identified as the main oxidation products, and the nZVI nanoparticles could be reused without a loss of efficiency.