title: [Photodegradation of phthalic acid esters in water].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the environmental degradation process of phthalic acid esters (PAEs).
  
  
  METHODS
  The PAEs were detected by HPLC. We used the system of ultraviolet light, TiO2 and hydrogen peroxide to promote the photodegradation of PAEs in water.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The photodegradation of PAEs was consistent with the first level kinetics. The maximal photodegradation of PAEs occurred at the 2.0 g/L of TiO2, pH 6.0, and 2.0% of H2O2. The importance of these environmental factors in promoting the photodegradation of PAEs were in the following orders: initial concentration of PAEs, radiation time, pH value, concentration of H2O2, and concentration of TiO2.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The system of ultraviolet light, TiO2 and hydrogen peroxide was effective in promoting the photodegradation of PAEs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sanitary Technology, West China School of Public Health, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoyu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Kerong
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Desheng
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D004952:Esters; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D007700:Kinetics; D010777:Photochemistry; D010782:Photolysis; D010795:Phthalic Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D013472:Sunlight; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D004952:Esters; D010795:Phthalic Acids; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C009495:titanium dioxide; C032279:phthalic acid; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D014025:Titanium