title: Degradation of aqueous solutions of camphor by heterogeneous photocatalysis.
abstract: In this study the photocatalytic degradation of aqueous solutions of camphor was investigated by using TiO2 and ZnO photocatalysts. In the presence of artificial UV-light the highly photosensitive camphor was almost totally degraded after reaction times of 60 min. However, under these conditions the mineralization degree was lower than 25%. In the presence of semiconductors the degradation was complete after a treatment time of about 30 min. Moreover, the mineralization was considerably greater, mainly with the use of TiO2 (> 80% at reaction time of 60 min). Heterogeneous photocatalytic processes applied in the presence of solar radiation show a promising degradation capability. TiO2-based processes afforded mineralization degrees of about 90% after a reaction time of 120 min, when the system was assisted by aeration.
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Department, Federal University of Paraná, P.O. Box 19081, 81531-990 Curitiba-PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sirtori
authors.forename: Priscila K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Altvater
authors.forename: Adriane M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: de Freitas
authors.forename: Patricio G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Peralta-Zamora
mesh_terms: D002164:Camphor / Q000737:chemistry*; D002384:Catalysis; D010777:Photochemistry; D014025:Titanium; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*; D015034:Zinc Oxide
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C009495:titanium dioxide; D002164:Camphor; D014025:Titanium; D015034:Zinc Oxide