Aqueous Photodegradation of Chlorobenzene Induced by Nitrate

The photodegradation of chlorobenzene in aqueous with xenon lamp as light source was studied, and the effects of NO₃^-, pH, DO, and light intensity on the photodegradation rate of chlorobenzene were systematically investigated. The results showed that no direct photolysis of chlorobenzene under xenon lamp irradiation was found but an obvious photodegradation was observed in the presence of nitrate as photosensitizer. The photodegradation rate of chlorobenzene had a positive correlation with the initial nitrate concentrations except for the highest concentrations (60mg/L NO₃^-). In addition, chlorobenzene was induced to be photodegraded more easily under acidic conditions than under alkaline conditions. And it was very evident that the dissolved oxygen in solutions was involved in the course of photooxdation of chlorobenzene.