Photochemical degradation of oxytetracycline hydrochloride in the presence of H2O2

Advanced oxidation process (AOPs) are technologies based on the intermediacy of hycroxyl radical and other radicals to oxidize recalcitrant, toxic nad no biodegradable cpmpounds to various by- products. In this paper, Oxytetracycline hydrochloride (OTC) was degraded inside a UV-H₂O₂ system which utilize hydroxyl radical generated from H₂O₂ to attack OTC. Concentration of H₂O₂, temperature and pH was varied in this experiment. To monitor OTC degradation, TOC and UV-VIS spectra analysis were carried out. Constant OTC concentration at 250 ppm was used. About 93.06% of TOC removal was achieved at 40°C and 1 eq mole ratio H₂O₂ to OTC. After 180 min irradiation, UV-Vis spectra of OTC have shown total disappearance of OTC peak. HPLC analyses has shown about 93.08% of OTC were degraded after 180 min irradiated inside UV-H₂O₂ system.