Photo-Fenton degradation of dye in methanolic solution under both UV and visible irradiation

The photodegradation of methyl orange was examined in methanolic solution u nder both UV and visible irradiations in the presence of ferric ions and H2 O2. The spin-trapping EPR technique was utilized to reveal the photo-Fenton reaction mechanism in the methanolic solution. It was found that different radicals were generated under UV and visible light irradiations. Possible mechanism of the photo-Fenton reaction in methanolic solution under both UV and visible light irradiations was proposed on the basis of experimental r esults. The intermediates produced during the photo-Fenton reaction were de tected by IR and GC-MS spectra. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.