Photocatalytic degradation of 9-acetylanthracene in water

In this paper the results of photocatalytic degradation of 9-acetylanthrace ne in a catalytic suspension of TiO2 P25 are reported. The experimental pho toreactor consisted of a simple Pyrex vessel, irradiated by a 50 watt tungs ten lamp. The dependence of the kinetic constant of the process from the in itial concentrations of the aromatic compound was monitored. The disappeara nce of the initial compound was obtained in about 7 hours and it seems to f ollow a first order kinetic law. Some intermediate compounds of the degrada tion were characterised by GC/MS analysis. The principal intermediate compo und was anthraquinone, from which phtalic acid was obtained by catalytic ox idation. Other intermediate substances identified were some dihydroxy and t rihydroxyanthracenes, but it was not possible to characterise the positions of hydroxylic groups.