Abstract:
In this research study, a simple and active photo-catalysis
system was assembling. It consists of a UV monochromatic light
source, quartz cell (which is transparent to UV) to hold the
sample and magnetic stirrer. The functions of the light source
are: (i) to achieve photo activation of the chemical reactions (ii)
to obtain certain chemical yields (iii) removing toxic phenol out
of water. The later was achieved by adding a semiconductor
material to stimulate the chemical reactions of materials as they
interact with the applied light, simulation of the state existence
the pheno
l in wastewater. The semiconductors were Iron Oxide
and Zinc Oxide with different weights. In this work laser light
producing 532 nm with BBO non-linear crystal producing UV
laser with 266nm, and a LED of λ = 375 nm were used.
Absorption spectra of samples were recorded before and after
irradiation. The influence of the interacted material weights,
diameter of the monochromatic light, exposure time were
studied. The later parameters were investigated to optimize
conditions needed to completely remove phenol. It is shown
from this study that phenol removal is increased when
increasing weight of the stimulating material (semiconductor),
exposure time, and light beam diameter. It is shown that the best
result was attained at 30 minutes exposure time, 600 mg of the
Fe2O3 and 2.3 cm diameter of light. The samples which were
exposed to laser irradiation showed less efficiency as compared
to those exposed to light emitted diode irradiation. This is due to
the higher power of LED (1watt) as compared to the 6mW of
the laser power.
