Microwave photocatalysis of mono-chloroacetic acid over nanoporous titanium(IV) oxide thin films using mercury electrodeless discharge lamps

The degradation of mono-chloroacetic acid (MCAA) by microwave-assisted photocatalysis has been examined by a new method. A novel electrodeless discharge lamp (EDL) was employed as UV light source generated by microwave irradiation. Titanium(IV) oxide film was used as the photocatalyst due to its superior characteristics. Several factors influencing the degradation of MCAA, such as number of coating cycles, light intensity, initial pH value, gas bubbling, and H2O2 dosage have been studied in detail. Mono-chloroacetic acid was efficiently decomposed to HCl, CO2, and H2O by the UV irradiated titanium dioxide thin film in a microwave field. The decomposition was enhanced in an alkaline solution and in the presence of H2O2, and significantly enhanced by increasing the intensity of UV light.