The effect of light absorbance on the decomposition of chlorophenols by ultraviolet radiation and u.v./H2O2 processes

The effect of light absorbance on the decomposition of chlorophenols in aqueous solution by ultraviolet radiation and u.v./H2O2 oxidation was studied. The light absorbance and photolytic properties of chlorophenols and H2O2 were found to be highly dependent on the solution pH and can be adequately described with the two species distribution model. For u.v./H2O2 process, the individual contribution to the decomposition of chlorophenols by direct photolysis and free hydroxyl radical destruction was differentiated by studying the u.v. light absorbance of various chlorophenols and H2O2 species.