Utilization of Coherent and Incoherent Light Sources For Phenol Degradation Via Photocatalysis Technique

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.