Phototransformation of ibuprofen and ketoprofen in aqueous solutions

The UV (254 nm) and UV/VUV (254/185 nm) photolysis of two anti-inflammatory drugs, ibuprofen and ketoprofen, have been studied in aqueous solutions as a possible process for the removal of non-biodegradable compounds. We have examined the effects of dissolved oxygen and initial target concentration. Upon irradiation at 254 nm, the decomposition rate of ketoprofen is almost forty times higher as it of ibuprofen whilst VUV irradiation only increased the ibuprofen decomposition rate. The presence of dissolved oxygen accelerated the photodegradation of ibuprofen, whereas no effect was observed on the degradation of ketoprofen. The maximum quantum yield for the phototransformation was 0.2. The rate of mineralization in both cases was similar to 60%, even after 1 h of treatment and this suggests the formation of stable by-products which were identified using GC-MS and HPLC-MS, respectively. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.