Quantum and photonic efficiencies for photo-Fenton degradation of the herbicide 2,4-D in water using different iron complexes.

LEANDRO O. CONTE; PEDRO L. QUERINI; ENRIQUE D. ALBIZZATI; ORLANDO M. ALFANO

Congreso; 3rd. Latin-American Congress on Photocatalysis; 2013

The 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is one of the herbicides most frequently used in the control of broadleaf weeds. Due to its low cost and high efficiency, has been used steadily for decades. However, this herbicide presents a high toxicity and relatively large water solubility which facilitates its migration to natural courses where it may last for several weeks due to its long mean life time. The photo-Fenton process has been successfully applied to treat water containing a variety of agrochemicals coming from these agriculture activities. An experimental study on the photo-Fenton degradation of the herbicide 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) in water is presented. Different sources of iron (sulfate, oxalate and citrate iron complexes) were studied. Their optical properties and effects on the behavior of the system over different operating conditions of pH (3 and 5) and temperature (25 and 35ºC) were evaluated. The photonic and quantum efficiencies for both herbicide degradation and mineralization were also determined.