On-line monitoring in photocatalytic degradation of 4-chlorophenol by using cyclic voltammetry and UV-Vis spectrometry

On-line monitoring in photocatalytic degradation process of organic compoun d 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) was carried out by using cyclic voltammetry and UV- Vis spectrometry. The result showed that the degradation process undertook at least a two-route mechanism to the complete mineralization: through redo x pairs of benzoquinone(BQ) and hydrobenzoquinone(HQ) and of hydroxybenzoqu inone(HBQ) and hydroxyhydrobenzoquinone(HHQ). UV-Vis spectra taken at diffe rent time showed the breakage of benzene ring and the complete mineralizati on. The electroanalysis was proved to be a proper technique for on-line mon itoring as it could detect simultaneously both initial reactants and interm ediates, and thus it is suitable for on-line monitoring and complementary f or mechanism study.