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  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 2001  > June  >
In the Laboratory
Safety Tips
Solar Photocatalytic Destruction of p-Nitrophenol: A Pedagogical Use of Lab Wastes
J. A. Herrera-Melián, J. M. Doña-Rodríguez, E. Tello Rendón, A. Soler Vila, M. Brunet Quetglas, A. Alvera Azcárate, and L. Pascual Pariente
Departamento de Química, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Edificio de Ciencias Basicas - Campus de Tafira, 35017 Gran Canaria, Islas Canarias, Spain

Cover
June 2001
Vol. 78 No. 6
p. 775

Abstract
In this article we propose the destruction of p-nitrophenol wastes obtained in a previous lab experiment, to generate a new lab experiment. The recommended destruction technique is solar TiO2-photocatalysis. When the effects of TiO2 and sunlight are tested separately, a slight decrease of p-nitrophenol is observed; but when TiO2 and sunlight are employed together p-nitrophenol disappears in 1 or 2 h. These experiments do not require sophisticated equipment or special lab training for the students. Groups of students tested different experimental conditions, such as the effect of different light intensities and sources (800-W UV-lamp, sunlight on sunny days, and sunlight on a cloudy day) or the addition of H2O2. p-Nitrophenol is degraded under the three light sources but at different rates. The addition of H2O2 to the TiO2-plus-sunlight system enhances p-nitrophenol degradation kinetics when compared with the TiO2 plus sunlight and H2O2 plus sunlight combinations.
Supplement
A more detailed version of this article is available. Notes and questions for students are also included.
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*  Citation
Herrera-Melián, J. A.; Doña-Rodríguez, J. M.; Rendón, E. Tello; Soler Vila, A.; Brunet Quetglas, M.; Azcárate, A. Alvera; Pascual Pariente, L. J. Chem. Educ. 2001 78 775.
*  Keywords
Catalysis; Environmental Chemistry; Free Radicals; Laboratory Instruction; Photochemistry; Water / Water Chemistry
*  History
Created:
Last Updated:
May 8, 2001
August 31, 2005
  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 2001  > June  > Page 775


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