Photocatalytic reactions of phenanthrene at TiO2/water interfaces

The photocatalytic oxidation of phenanthrene was investigated in aqueous TiO2 suspensions under UV light irradiation. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) measurements, UV–Vis spectrophotometer, IR spectrometer and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analytical techniques were used to monitor the reaction process. Some factors affecting the photodegradation rate were studied and some aromatic intermediates were detected during the reaction process. Fast and complete mineralization of phenanthrene was achieved in this reaction system.