PHOTOCATALYTIC DEGRADATION OF NAPHTHALENE IN AQUEOUS TIO2 DISPERSIONS- EFFECT OF NONIONIC SURFACTANTS

The decomposition of naphthalene in the presence of TiO2 dispersions i rradiated with simulated solar light has been investigated in water an d in aqueous Brij 35 solutions, used to wash soil samples containing t he adsorbed pollutant. The monitoring of the reaction system performed during the treatment showed the formation of various aromatic interme diates, in turn degraded, which were identified using suitable analyti cal techniques. Fast and complete mineralization of naphthalene to CO2 was achieved when working in the absence of additives, whereas a neat inhibition of the degradation was observed in the presence of amphiph iles and other organic components coming from soil. Experimental condi tions under which surfactant-containing washes can be treated were inv estigated and defined. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd.