PHOTOCATALYTIC DEGRADATION OF P-TOLUENESULPHONIC ACID IN AQUEOUS SYSTEMS CONTAINING POWDERED AND IMMOBILIZED TITANIUM-DIOXIDE

The photocatalytic decomposition of p-toluenesulphonic acid (PTSA), in aqueous titanium dioxide suspensions and in systems containing TiO2 p articles immobilized using a polymer on the inner wall of the reaction vessel, was investigated. p-Cresol was identified by gas chromatograp hy-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) as the main intermediate at the initial s tage of photocatalytic PTSA decomposition. The initial PTSA decomposit ion rates were evaluated from the dependence of the PTSA concentration s on the irradiation time and the values obtained were used for photoc atalytic activity comparisons. The initial PTSA concentration, tempera ture and addition of ferric ions strongly influence the initial PTSA d ecomposition rate in systems containing powdered and immobilized TiO2. Suitable modification of the experimental conditions guarantees fast photocatalytic decomposition of PTSA in systems containing immobilized titanium dioxide particles.