Photocatalytic degradation of hydrocarbons by bentonite and TiO2 in aqueous suspensions containing surfactants

Organic substances (toluene, asphaltene dissolved in toluene) poorly soluble in water were solubilized by sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) and the organic pollutants were mineralized together with the surfactants in diluted TiO2 suspension by UV light. In concentrated aqueous suspension, crude oil was photodegraded on the surface of Na-bentonite and the photocatalyst TiO2. Experiments have been carried out with Na-bentonite contaminated with crude oil mixed in a ratio of 1:1 with TiO2 as well. The photooxidation processes were followed by total organic carbon content (TOC) and diffuse reflection infrared spectroscopy (DRIFT) measurements.