Fenton-like photocatalyzed degradation of dibutyl phthalate with goethite and carboxylic acids

Abstract

Detailed investigation of photocatalyzed degradation of dibutyl phthalate (DBP), an endocrine disrupter, in the presence of α-FeOOH (goethite) and different carboxylic acids is the focus of this study. To get a better insight into the efficiency of the degradation, the influence of different parameters, such as concentration of total Fe and Fe(II), dissolved oxygen, DBP concentration, pH and salinity is investigated. The reaction mechanism consists of several interrelationship steps. The first step is the chemical reaction of carboxylic acid groups of the organic acids with hydroxyl groups of the α-FeOOH and a charge transfer upon illumination generating Fe(II).