Selective degradation of lignin and elimination of HO radicals in pulps by O_3 and UV laser flash irradiation

HO radical is an aggressive reagent to abstract hydrogen from diverse substitutes and lead them to degradation, however, in reaction of active oxygen species with lignins, complex phenolic polymers, in dispersed lignocellulose such as pulp for environment-benign delignification, HO radicals should be eliminated as more as possible to prevent cellulose from unfavorably concomitant degradation. A reaction system of O3 is constructed under UV laser flash irradiation, and HO radicals are controlled efficiently by it. A new mechanism is proposed, for the first time, that O radicals generated from reaction of O3 with UV laser flash irradiation might be the contributor to scavenge HO radicals.     

Oxidative and Photochemical Stability of Ionomers for Fuel‐Cell Membranes

To predict hydroxyl‐radical‐initiated degradation of new proton‐conducting polymer membranes based on sulfonated polyetherketones (PEK) and polysulfones (PSU), three nonfluorinated aromatics are chosen as model compounds for EPR experiments, aiming at the identification of products of HO^.‐radical reactions with these monomers. Photolysis of H₂O₂ was chosen as the source of HO^. radicals. To distinguish HO^.‐radical attack from direct photolysis of the monomers, experiments were carried out in the presence and absence of H₂O₂. A detailed investigation of the pH dependence was performed for 4,4′‐sulfonylbis[phenol] ( SBP ), bisphenol A (= 4,4′‐isopropylidenebis[phenol]; BPA ), and [1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4,4′‐diol ( BPD ). At pH ≥ pK_A of HO^. and H₂O₂, reactions between the model compounds and O₂^.? or ¹O₂ are the most probable ways to the phenoxy and ‘semiquinone’ radicals observed in this pH range in our EPR spectra. A large number of new radicals give evidence of multiple hydroxylation of the aromatic rings. Investigations at low pH are particularly relevant for understanding degradation in polymer‐electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs). However, the chemistry depends strongly on pH, a fact that is highly significant in view of possible pH inhomogeneities in fuel cells at high currents. It is shown that also direct photolysis of the monomers leads to ‘semiquinone’‐type radicals. For SBP and BPA , this involves cleavage of a C? C bond.     

Dihalogenated Methylperoxy Radicals: Spectroscopic Characterization and Photodecomposition by Release of HO.

Two atmospherically relevant dihalogenated methylperoxy radicals CHX₂OO^. (X=F and Cl) have been generated through O₂-oxidation of the corresponding alkyl radicals CHX₂^. in the gas phase. The IR spectroscopic characterization of both radicals in cryogenic Ar- and N₂-matrices (15 K) is supported by ¹⁸O-labeling and ab initio calculations at the UCCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ level. Upon 266 nm laser irradiation, both radicals decompose mainly by releasing hydroxyl radicals (→HO^.+X₂CO) via the intermediacy of intriguing α-hydroperoxyalkyl radicals (^.CX₂OOH), implying that the photooxidation of dihalogenated hydrocarbons might serve as important sources of HO^. radicals in the atmosphere.     

Structural characterization and photocatalytic properties of novel Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>FeVO<Subscript>7</Subscript>

Bi₂FeVO₇ was prepared by a solid-state reaction technique for the first time and the structural and photocatalytic properties of Bi₂FeVO₇ were studied. The results shows that this compound crystallized in the tetragonal crystal system with space group I4/mmm. Moreover, the band gap of Bi₂FeVO₇ was estimated to be about 2.22(6) eV. For the photocatalytic water splitting reaction, H₂ or O₂ evolution was observed from pure water with Bi₂FeVO₇ as the photocatalyst by ultraviolet light irradiation. Degradation of aqueous methylene blue (MB) dye by photocatalytic way over this compound was further studied under visible light irradiation. Bi₂FeVO₇ shows higher catalytic activity compared to TiO₂ (P-25) for MB photocatalytic degradation under visible light irradiation. Complete removal of aqueous MB was realized after visible light irradiation for 170 min with Bi₂FeVO₇ as the photocatalyst. The reduction of the total organic carbon (TOC) and the formation of inorganic products, SO ₄ ²⁻ and NO ₃ ⁻ revealed the continuous mineralization of aqueous MB during the photocatalytic course.     

The Reaction of Ozone with the Hydroxide Ion: Mechanistic Considerations Based on Thermokinetic and Quantum Chemical Calculations and the Role of HO4− in Superoxide Dismutation

The reaction of OH^? with O₃ eventually leads to the formation of ^.OH radicals. In the original mechanistic concept (J. Staehelin, J. Hoigné, Environ. Sci. Technol. 1982 , 16, 676–681), it was suggested that the first step occurred by O transfer: OH^?+O₃→HO₂^?+O₂ and that ^.OH was generated in the subsequent reaction(s) of HO₂^? with O₃ (the peroxone process). This mechanistic concept has now been revised on the basis of thermokinetic and quantum chemical calculations. A one‐step O transfer such as that mentioned above would require the release of O₂ in its excited singlet state (¹O₂, O₂(¹Δ_g)); this state lies 95.5 kJ mol^?1 above the triplet ground state (³O₂, O₂(³Σ_g^?)). The low experimental rate constant of 70 M ^?1 s^?1 is not incompatible with such a reaction. However, according to our calculations, the reaction of OH^? with O₃ to form an adduct (OH^?+O₃→HO₄^?; ΔG=3.5 kJ mol^?1) is a much better candidate for the rate‐determining step as compared with the significantly more endergonic O transfer (ΔG=26.7 kJ mol^?1). Hence, we favor this reaction; all the more so as numerous precedents of similar ozone adduct formation are known in the literature. Three potential decay routes of the adduct HO₄^? have been probed: HO₄^?→HO₂^?+¹O₂ is spin allowed, but markedly endergonic (ΔG=23.2 kJ mol^?1). HO₄^?→HO₂^?+³O₂ is spin forbidden (ΔG=?73.3 kJ mol^?1). The decay into radicals, HO₄^?→HO₂^.+O₂^.?, is spin allowed and less endergonic (ΔG=14.8 kJ mol^?1) than HO₄^?→HO₂^?+¹O₂. It is thus HO₄^?→HO₂^.+O₂^.? by which HO₄^? decays. It is noted that a large contribution of the reverse of this reaction, HO₂^.+O₂^.?→HO₄^?, followed by HO₄^?→HO₂^?+³O₂, now explains why the measured rate of the bimolecular decay of HO₂^. and O₂^.? into HO₂^?+O₂ (k=1×10⁸ M ^?1 s^?1) is below diffusion controlled. Because k for the process HO₄^?→HO₂^.+O₂^.? is much larger than k for the reverse of OH^?+O₃→HO₄^?, the forward reaction OH^?+O₃→HO₄^? is practically irreversible.     

Kinetic studies of direct blue photodegradation over flower-like TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The kinetics of photocatalytic oxidation reaction for direct blue solution was studied by using flower-like TiO₂ under the irradiation of ultraviolet (UV) light. A series of possible affecting factors were studied, including pH value, the additive amount of light catalyst, H₂O₂ and with or without Ag modification. The kinetics of photocatalytic degradation under UV was found following a pseudo-second-order reaction kinetic model with high regression coefficients (R ²). It has been demonstrated that the initial concentration and its related factors have influenced the photocatalytic degradation efficiency and corresponding kinetic parameters. Also, the kinetic parameter k is increasing with the degradation efficiency.     

Kinetic studies of the self‐reaction and reaction with HO2 of a tertiary β‐brominated peroxy radical between 298 and 393 K

The kinetics of reactions of the tertiary β‐brominated peroxy radical BrC(CH₃)₂C(CH₃)₂O₂ (2‐bromo‐1,1,2‐trimethylpropylperoxy) have been studied using the laser flash photolysis technique, photolysing HBr at 248 nm in the presence of O₂ and 2,3‐dimethylbut‐2‐ene. At room temperature, a rate constant of (2.0 ± 0.8) × 10⁻¹⁴ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ was determined for the BrC(CH₃)₂C(CH₃)₂O₂ self‐reaction. The reaction of BrC(CH₃)₂C(CH₃)₂O₂ with HO₂ was investigated in the temperature range 306–393 K, yielding the following Arrhenius expression: k(BrC(CH₃)₂C(CH₃)₂O₂ + HO₂) = (2.04 ± 0.25) × 10⁻¹² exp[(501 ± 36)K/T] cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, giving by extrapolation (1.10 ± 0.13) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ at 298 K. These results confirm the enhancement of the peroxy radical self‐reaction reactivity upon β‐substitution, which is similar for Br and OH substituents. In contrast, no significant effect of substituent has been observed on the rate constant for the reactions of peroxy radicals with HO₂. The global uncertainty factors on rate constants are equal to nearly 2 for the self‐reaction and to 1.35 for the reaction with HO₂. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 33: 41–48, 2001     

Mechanism of Thermal Toluene Autoxidation

Aerobic oxidation of toluene (PhCH₃) is investigated by complementary experimental and theoretical methodologies. Whereas the reaction of the chain‐carrying benzylperoxyl radicals with the substrate produces predominantly benzyl hydroperoxide, benzyl alcohol and benzaldehyde originate mainly from subsequent propagation of the hydroperoxide product. Nevertheless, a significant fraction of benzaldehyde is also produced in primary PhCH₃ propagation, presumably via proton rather than hydrogen transfer. An equimolar amount of benzyl alcohol, together with benzoic acid, is additionally produced in the tertiary propagation of PhCHO with benzylperoxyl radicals. The “hot” oxy radicals generated in this step can also abstract aromatic hydrogen atoms from PhCH₃, and this results in production of cresols, known inhibitors of radical‐chain reactions. The very fast benzyl peroxyl‐initiated co‐oxidation of benzyl alcohol generates HO₂^. radicals, along with benzaldehyde. This reaction also causes a decrease in the overall oxidation rate, due to the fast chain‐terminating reaction of HO₂^. with the benzylperoxyl radicals, which causes a loss of chain carriers. Moreover, due to the fast equilibrium PhCH₂OOH+HO₂^.?PhCH₂OO^.+H₂O₂, and the much lower reactivity of H₂O₂ compared to PhCH₂OOH, the fast co‐oxidation of the alcohol means that HO₂^. gradually takes over the role of benzylperoxyl as principal chain carrier. This drastically changes the autoxidation mechanism and, among other things, causes a sharp decrease in the hydroperoxide yield.     

Radical loss in a chain reaction of CO and NO in the presence of water: Implications for the radical amplifier and atmospheric chemistry

Atmospheric pressure rate coefficients for the loss of HO₂, CH₃O₂, and C₂H₅O₂ radicals to the wall of a ¼″ Teflon tube have been measured. In dry air, they are 2.8 ± 0.2 s⁻¹ for HO₂ and 0.8 ± 0.1 s⁻¹ for both CH₃O₂ and C₂H₅O₂ radicals. The rate coefficient for HO₂ loss increases markedly with the relative humidity of the air; however, the organic radicals show no such dependence. These data are used in a kinetic model of the radical amplifier chemistry to investigate the reported sensitivity to water concentration. The increased wall loss accounts for only some of the observed water dependence, suggesting there is an unreported water contribution to the gas phase chemistry. Including the reaction of the HO₂/water adduct with NO to yield HNO₃ or HOONO into the mechanism is shown to provide a better simulation of the observed water dependence of the radical detector. This reaction would also be important in atmospheric chemistry as it provides an additional loss mechanism for both radicals and NO_x. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 31: 145–152, 1999     

Oxidative degradation of water - soluble polyethers by HO• and HO2• generated photochemically: Ft-ir studies

Two water - soluble polyethers, poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(methyl vinyl ether) were UV irradiated in hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) solutions. It has been shown that HO• and HO₂• radicals accelerate oxidative degradation of these polymers. Hydroxy (HO•) and probably hydroperoxy (HO₂•) radicals can abstract hydrogen from methylene groups in both polymers. As a result of further oxidative reactions, different carbonyl, hydroxy and hydroperoxy groups are formed. A mechanism for the formation of these groups has been proposed.     

Photo-fenton refreshable Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>@HCS adsorbent for the elimination of tetracycline hydrochloride

A yolk–shell-structured sphere composed of a superparamagnetic Fe₃O₄ core and a carbon shell (Fe₃O₄@HCS) was etched from Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@carbon by NaOH, which was synthesized through the layer-by-layer coating of Fe₃O₄. This yolk–shell composite has a shell thickness of ca. 27 nm and a high specific surface area of 213.2 m² g^?1. Its performance for the magnetic removal of tetracycline hydrochloride from water was systematically examined. A high equilibrium adsorption capacity of ca. 49.0 mg g^?1 was determined. Moreover, the adsorbent can be regenerated within 10 min through a photo-Fenton reaction. A stable adsorption capacity of 44.3 mg g^?1 with a fluctuation <10% is preserved after 5 consecutive adsorption–degradation cycles, demonstrating its promising application potential in the decontamination of sewage water polluted by antibiotics.     

Photomineralization of phenol on Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>: synergistic photocatalysis by semiconductors

Phenol gets adsorbed on Al₂O₃ and mineralizes under UV light in the presence of dissolved O₂. The degradation exhibits first-order kinetics and its rate increases linearly with the light intensity and decreases with pH. 2,4-Diphenoxycyclohexanone and 2,6-diphenoxycyclohex-3-ene-1-ol are the intermediates of the reaction. While particulate TiO₂, ZnO, ZnS, Fe₂O₃, CuO, CdO, and Nb₂O₅ individually photocatalyze the degradation, each semiconductor exhibits synergistic photocatalysis, an enhanced photodegradation, when present along with Al₂O₃, indicating electron abstraction by illuminated semiconductors from the phenol adsorbed on Al₂O₃.     

Using microwave along with TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> for degradation of 4-chloro-2-nitrophenol in aqueous environment

In this project, microwave (MW) irradiation, photolysis, and photo catalyst were used for degradation of 4-chloro-2-nitro phenol (4-C2NP) in aqueous environment. The influence of main operating parameters such as initial pH, initial concentration of 4C2NP, power dissipation and the dosage of TiO2 on the degradation efficiency has been investigated. The optimum conditions was obtained such as initial concentration of 4C2NP at 30 mg L^?1, initial pH at 6, power dissipation at 16 W for UV irradiation, and the amount of TiO₂ at 0.2 g L^?1. The removal of 4C2NP and chemical oxygen demand (COD) after 100 min of reaction in the combined method (MW/UV/TiO₂) was obtained as 80.5% and 47.3%, respectively. Almost all processes are followed from the pseudo first order kinetics and the degradation rate of 4C2NP obeyed the following order: UV/TiO₂/MW > UV/TiO₂ > MW/UV > UV>MW.     

An EPR study of thermally and photochemically generated oxygen radicals on hydrated and dehydrated titania surfaces

The formation of a series of oxygen-centred radicals on different TiO₂ samples (P25 and two different rutile materials) under various conditions was investigated using X-band c.w. Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The radicals were formed either on thermally-reduced TiO₂, or by UV irradiation of the oxide under an oxygen atmosphere. The nature and stability of the radicals was also explored as a function of surface hydration. On thermally reduced TiO₂, containing surface and bulk Ti³⁺ centres, oxygen adsorption at 300 K results in the preferential formation and stabilisation of O₂ ^- anions on the P25 surface, but O^- and O₃ ^- anions are generated on the rutile surfaces. Superoxide anions (O^-) and trapped holes (O₂ ^-) were also identified after photo-irradiation of the thoroughly dehydrated TiO₂ samples under oxygen. The O^- anions were only visible at low temperatures under continuous irradiation, while the O₂ ^- anions were stable for days at 300 K. By comparison, on fully hydrated surfaces, no stable oxygen centred radicals could be detected on P25, while O₂ ^- anions were easily observed on the rutile surfaces. On partially hydrated P25, the O^-, O₂ ^- and HO₂ anions were detected after UV irradiation at 77 K; all radicals decayed upon warming to 298 K. On partially hydrated rutile, the O^- and O₂ ^- anions were detected and, unlike the case for P25, were found to be stable for days under the same conditions. The results illustrate the varied formation and stability of the oxygen centred radicals on TiO₂ surfaces depending on the pretreatment conditions.     

An EPR investigation of acetonitrile reactivity with superoxide radicals on polycrystalline TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The interaction of acetonitrile with superoxide radicals over a polycrystalline TiO₂ (Degussa P25) surface was investigated using continuous-wave electron paramagnetic resonance (cw-EPR) spectroscopy. For the first time, a thermally unstable radical intermediate has been observed following the low-temperature exposure of acetonitrile to surface-adsorbed O₂⁻ radicals. The radical intermediate has been identified as an [O₂⁻···CH₃CN] type surface complex characterised by the g values of g ₁ = 2.031, g ₂ = 2.010 and g ₃ = 2.003. This surface complex is thermally unstable and decomposes at temperatures of T > 240 K. A second oxygen-centred species was also observed following acetonitrile adsorption, characterised by the spin Hamiltonian parameters of g ₁ = 2.028, g ₂ = 2.010, g ₃ = 2.004, A ₁ = 1.2 mT, A ₂ = 1.0 mT and A ₃ = 1.0 mT, and was assigned to a hydroperoxy radical (HO₂^•).     

Yields of O2(b1Σ) from reactions of HO2

A discharge-flow apparatus with resonance fluorescence and chemiluminescence detection has been used to monitor O₂(b ¹σ) production from several reactions of the HO₂ radical at 300 K and 1-torr total pressure. O₂(b), HO₂, and OH were observed when F atoms were added to H₂O₂ in the gas phase. Signal strengths of O₂(b) were proportional to initial concentrations of H₂O₂ and HO₂. These observations were analyzed by using a simple three step mechanism and a more complete computer simulation with 22 reaction steps. The results indicate that the F + HO₂ reaction yields O₂(b) with an efficiency of (3.6 ± 1.4) × 10^?3. By monitoring [O₂(b)] and [HO₂] upon addition of an excess second reactant to HO₂, O₂(b) yields from the reactions of HO₂ with O, Cl, D, H, and OH were found to be <1 × 10^?2, <5 × 10^?4, <2 × 10^?3, <8 × 10^?3, and <1 × 10^?3, respectively. Yields of O₂(b) from the HO₂ ± HO₂ reaction were found to be less than 3 × 10^?2.     

Photosensitized formation of peroxyl radicals in aqueous solutions of adenine at 77 K

Conditions for the formation of peroxyl radicals photosensitized by near-UV irradiation in frozen aqueous solutions of adenine containing 0.1 M NaCl (pH 4–7) are studied. Analysis of the EPR spectra shows that the systems under study contain two types of peroxyl radicals presumably classified earlier as O ₂ ^?· and HO _2· ^· . The effect of freezing methods on the production of the radicals is shown. The signal from O ₂ ^?· predominates in the spectra of samples with open surfaces and is likely due to the reduction of adsorbed O₂ molecules with photoejected electrons. The signal from HO ₂ ^· could be due to photoinduced interaction between the sensitizer and solvent. Possible mechanisms of these processes are considered.     

Preparation of novel hybrid nanomaterials based on LaFeO3 and phosphotungstic acid as a highly efficient magnetic photocatalyst for the degradation of methylene blue dye solution

Novel magnetic hybrid nanomaterials 1 (LaFeO₃.Fe₃O₄@SiO₂-NH₂/PW₁₂) were synthesized by supporting phosphotungstic acid (H₃PW₁₂O₄₀; PW₁₂) on LaFeO₃.Fe₃O₄ nanomaterials through sono-assisted method. The synthesized nanomaterials were fully characterized by using FT-IR, XRD, UV–vis, BET-BJH, VSM, SEM, and TEM analyses. FT-IR, XRD, and UV–vis confirmed successful synthesis of nanomaterials. The SEM and TEM images revealed spherical morphology with core-shell structure for hybrid nanomaterials 1 . VSM results confirmed the magnetic property of hybrid nanomaterials 1 and suggested it as easily recyclable photocatalyst for removal of organic dyes from aqueous solution. The photocatalytic activity of hybrid nanomaterials 1 has been studied over the degradation of methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) solution under UV–vis light irradiation. Importantly the hybrid nanomaterials 1 showed outstanding degradation efficiency for MB solution in comparison with bare LaFeO₃.Fe₃O₄ and PW₁₂. The photocatalytic activity was enhanced mainly due to the high efficiency in separation of electron–hole pairs induced by the remarkable synergistic effects of LaFeO₃.Fe₃O₄ and PW₁₂ semiconductors. After the photocatalytic reaction, the nanocomposite can be easily separated from the reaction solution and reused several times without loss of its photocatalytic activity. Trapping experiments indicated that hole (h_VB⁺) and ^•OH radicals were the main reactive species for dye degradation in the present photocatalytic system. On the basis of the experimental results and estimated band gaps, the mechanism for the enhanced photocatalytic activity was proposed.     

Photocatalytic degradation of adenosine triphosphate in an aqueous suspension of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>: a HPLC and <Superscript>1</Superscript>H-NMR study

Photocatalytic degradation process of ATP was followed by HPLC and ¹H-NMR measurements. Adenine was one of the major products when the aqueous ATP sample with TiO₂ dispersion was irradiated by UV light (λ = 365 nm) for 90 min. The ¹H-NMR spectra indicated the presence of another product (Z), which likely came from the ribose moiety in ATP. Photocatalytic generation of OH^˙ radicals on TiO₂ surface was concluded to be responsible for degrading ATP. A working hypothesis of the reaction process was proposed to account for the reaction products.     

Absolute rate constants for the self reactions of HO2, CF3CFHO2, and CF3O2 radicals and the cross reactions of HO2 with FO2, HO2 with CF3CFHO2, and HO2 with CF3O2 at 295 K

The kinetics of the self-reactions of HO₂, CF₃CFHO₂, and CF₃O₂ radicals and the cross reactions of HO₂ with FO₂, HO₂ with CF₃CFHO₂, and HO₂ with CF₃O₂ radicals, were studied by pulse radiolysis combined with time resolved UV absorption spectroscopy at 295 K. The rate constants for these reactions were obtained by computer simulation of absorption transients monitored at 220, 230, and 240 nm. The following rate constants were obtained at 295 K and 1000 mbar total pressure of SF₆ (unit: 10⁻¹² cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹): k(HO₂+HO₂)=3.5±1.0, k(CF₃CFHO₂+CF₃CFHO₂)=3.5±0.8, k(CF₃O₂+CF₃O₂)=2.25±0.30, k(HO₂+FO₂)=9±4, k(CF₃CFHO₂+HO₂)=5.0±1.5, and k(CF₃O₂+HO₂)=4.0±2.0. In addition, the decomposition rate of CF₃CFHO radicals was estimated to be (0.2–2)×10³ s⁻¹ in 1000 mbar of SF₆. Results are discussed in the context of the atmospheric chemistry of hydrofluorocarbons. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.