Photo-fenton's Oxidation of Chlorophenols Containing Aqueous Solution: Use of Iron Extracted from Laterite Soil As Catalyst: Cost Effective and Eco-friendly Method

Photo-Degradation of Chlorophenols (CPs) in aqueous solution by UV/Fenton's reagent (Fe2+ and H2O2) was investigated in the present study. Experiments were conducted in a batch reactor, at pH 3.5 for 2-CP and pH 4 for 2,4-DCP and at 27±3°C with a source of UV light. The effects of different reaction parameters such as initial 2-CP and 2,4-DCP concentration, pH of solution, iron concentration, hydrogen peroxide concentration, on the oxidative degradation of selected chlorophenols were investigated. Final concentration, pH and COD of the solution after treatment were determined to know degree of the degradation of the compound. The optimum conditions established during Fenton's oxidation without UV, were used for this study. This method proved more efficient to Fenton's oxidation in degradation of 2-CP and 2,4-DCP. Further iron extracted from laterite soil showed better removal efficiency than ferrous sulfate salt and also to be cost effective with reduction in reaction time to three hours.