Two multifunctional organic-inorganic hybrid complexes based on polyoxometalates,BiEDTA and sodium linker: crystal structures,photochromic, and catalytic performances

Two 3-D organic–inorganic hybrid supermolecular complexes, Na(BiHEDTA·2H₂O)₃(PW₁₂O₄₀)·2H₃O (BiPW) and Na(BiHEDTA·2H₂O)₃(PMo₁₂O₄₀)·2H₃O·2H₂O (BiPMo) ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) have been synthesized by solution method and characterized by ultraviolet visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis, photoluminescence, cyclic voltammetry, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD). XRD analysis reveals that BiPW and BiPMo are isostructural with 3-D architectures assembled by 2-D layer tetranuclear cation and a Keggin-type polyoxoanion. Although these two hybrids exhibit similar structures, the properties depend on the nature of polyoxoanion [PM₁₂O₄₀]^3? (M = W, Mo). Under UV irradiation, BiPW and BiPMo show fast response of reversible and irreversible photochromism, respectively. BiPW exhibits excellent photocatalytic activity in degradation of methyl orange dyes under irradiation of UV–visible light. It can be reused for at least six cycles without obvious loss of activity in the degradation experiments; BiPMo shows catalytic activity in elimination of methanol. The elimination rate of methanol reaches 56.9% when the concentration of methanol is 2.3 g·m^?3 and the flow velocity is 10 mL·min^?1 at 100 °C.     

Green Synthesized Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Effect on Fermentative Hydrogen Production by Clostridium acetobutylicum

A green synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles (FeNPs) was developed using Murraya koenigii leaf extract as reducing and stabilizing agent. UV–vis spectra show that the absorption band centred at a wavelength of 277 nm which corresponds to the surface plasmon resonances of synthesized FeNPs. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectrum exhibits that the characteristic band at 580 cm^?1 is assigned to Fe–O of γ-Fe₂O₃. Transmission electron microscopy image confirms that the spherical with irregular shaped aggregates and average size of nanoparticles was found to be ～59 nm. The effect of synthesized FeNPs on fermentative hydrogen production was evaluated from glucose by Clostridium acetobutylicum NCIM 2337. The hydrogen yield in control experiment was obtained as 1.74?±?0.08 mol H₂/mol glucose whereas the highest hydrogen yield in FeNPs supplemented experiment was achieved as 2.33?±?0.09 mol H₂/mol glucose at 175 mg/L of FeNPs. In addition, the hydrogen content and hydrogen production rate were also increased from 34?±?0.8 to 52?±?0.8 % and 23 to 25.3 mL/h, respectively. The effect of FeNPs was compared with supplementation of FeSO₄ on fermentative process. The supplementation of FeNPs enhanced the hydrogen production in comparison with control and FeSO₄. The supplementation of FeNPs led to the change of the metabolic pathway towards high hydrogen production due to the enhancement of ferredoxin activity. The fermentation type was shifted from butyrate to acetate/butyrate fermentation type at the addition of FeNPs.     

A Novel Dielectric-Barrier-Discharge Loop Reactor for Cyanide Water Treatment

A novel dielectric-barrier-discharge (DBD) loop reactor was designed for the efficient degradation of cyanide anion (CN^?) in water. The circulation of cyanide water as a falling film through plasma gas discharge zone enhanced gas–liquid mass and energy transfer and induced formation of H₂O₂ which was associated with the efficient destruction of CN^?. It was observed that among different discharge gases, the CN^? degradation rate decreased in the order of Ar > air > H₂/air mixture. Depending on discharge voltage, the treatment time for complete removal of 100 ppm CN^? in this DBD loop reactor is in the range 120–300 min. The dose of Cu²⁺ catalyst in combination with in situ production of H₂O₂ enhanced the destruction of CN^? apparently in this DBD loop reactor. The treatment time for complete degradation of 100 ppm CN^? decreased from 180 min with Ar DBD discharge alone to 40 min with 40 mg/L dose of Cu²⁺ ion in water, making it an efficient means to degrade cyanide water.     

Analysis and Characterization of Microwave Irradiation–Induced Graft Copolymerization of Methyl Methacrylate onto Delignified Grewia Optiva Fiber

Grafting of methyl methacrylate (MMA) onto delignified Grewia optiva fiber using ascorbic acid/H₂O₂ as an initiator was carried out under microwave irradiation. The effects of varying the microwave power, exposure time, and concentration of initiator and monomer of graft polymerization were studied to obtain maximum grafting percentage (26.54%). The experimental results showed that the optimal conditions for grafting were: exposure time, 10min; microwave power, 110 W; ascorbic acid concentration, 3.74mol/L × 10^?2; H₂O₂ concentration, 0.97mol/L × 10^?1; monomer concentration, 1.87mol/L × 10^?1. The graft copolymers were characterized by Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).     

CuAl2O4 powder synthesis by sol-gel method and its photodegradation property under visible light irradiation

Nanocrystalline spinel CuAl₂O₄ powders were prepared by sol-gel method from nitrate Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O, Al(NO₃)₃·9H₂O and complex C₆H₈O₇·H₂O. Sintering was carried out at 400, 500, 600, 700, 800°C respectively for 2 h in air. The XRD patterns started to appear CuAl₂O₄ peaks after sintering of 500°C and consist of only CuAl₂O₄ peaks as spinel crystal after sintering of 700°C. The powders were analyzed by TEM and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectrum to be round, about 10–30 nm in size and Eg=1.77 eV. Photodegradation property of nanocrystalline CuAl₂O₄ powders was investigated by using methyl orange as model pollutant and mercury lamp (λ>400 nm) as energy source. The results indicated that CuAl₂O₄ powders sintered at 700°C had the excellent visible photocatalytic property. Under the irradiation of visible light, methyl orange could be degraded 97% in 120 min.     

Hydrogen production by aqueous phase reforming of sorbitol using bimetallic Ni–Pt catalysts: metal support interaction

Hydrogen was produced by Aqueous Phase Reforming (APR) of 10% (w/w) sorbitol using mono- and bi-metallic catalysts of Ni and Pt supported on alumina nano-fibre (Alnf), mesoporous ZrO₂ and mixed oxides of ceria–zirconia–silica (CZxS) with varying concentration of silica (where x is silica concentration). X-ray diffraction, TEM/EDS and temperature programmed reduction were also carried on these catalysts to study the surface properties. It was observed that co-impregnation of Pt and Ni in atomic ratio 1:12 increased the reducibility of Ni by forming an alloy. However, sequential impregnation of Ni followed by Pt does not form the bi-metallic particles to increase the Ni reducibility. Reduction peak of co-impregnated Ni–Pt/Alnf was found to be 270 °C lower than the sequentially impregnated Pt/Ni/Alnf. The presence of silica at high concentration in CZxS support decreased the reducibility of ceria by forming an amorphous layer on Ce_xZr_1?xO₂ crystals, which also decreased Ni reducibility. The rate of H₂ formation from aqueous phase sorbitol reforming was found to be highest for co-impregnated Ni–Pt catalysts followed by sequentially impregnated Pt/Ni and monometallic Ni catalyst. The H₂ activity decreased in the following order of the supports: Alnf > ZrO₂ > CZ3S > CZ7S.     

H2 evolution from H2O/H2O2/MWO4 (M = Fe2+, Co2+, Ni2+) systems by photocatalytic reaction

H₂ evolution from H₂O/H₂O₂/MWO₄ (M = Fe²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺) systems was studied for the first time. The MWO₄ (M = Fe²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺) powders were synthesized by a salt aqueous solution reaction followed by calcination. The light band gaps of the FeWO₄, CoWO₄, and NiWO₄ powders determined from UV–vis absorption spectra were 1.83, 2.58, and 2.86 eV, respectively. The experiment on the H₂ evolution from H₂O/H₂O₂/MWO₄ (M = Fe²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺) systems indicated that the efficiency increased in order of FeWO₄ > CoWO₄ > NiWO₄ and was larger under sunlight with strong intensity than under visible light.     

A Chemiluminescence Microarray Based on Catalysis by CeO2 Nanoparticles and Its Application to Determine the Rate of Removal of Hydrogen Peroxide by Human Erythrocytes

In this work, cerium oxide nanoparticles are capable of strongly enhancing the chemiluminescence (CL) of the luminol–hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) system. Based on this, a microarray CL method for the determination of the removal rate constant of H₂O₂ by human erythrocytes has been developed. It is providing direct evidence for a H₂O₂-removing enzyme in human erythrocytes that acts as the predominant catalyst. A reaction mechanism is discussed. The proposed microarray CL method is sensitive, selective, simple and time-saving, and has good reproducibility and high throughput. Relative CL intensity is linearly related to the concentration of H₂O₂ in the range from 0.01 to 50 μM. The limit of detection is as low as 6.5?×?10^?11 M (3σ), and the relative standard deviation is 2. 1 % at 1 μM levels of H₂O₂ (for n?=?11).     

Enhancement of Fe3O4/Au Composite Nanoparticles Catalyst in Oxidative Degradation of Methyl Orange Based on Synergistic Effect

Enhancement of Fe₃O₄ /Au nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄ /Au NPs ) catalyst was observed in the oxidative degradation of methyl orange by employing H₂O₂ as oxidant. To evaluate the catalytic activity of Fe₃O₄ /Au nanoparticles, different degradation conditions were investigated such as the amounts of catalyst, H₂O₂ concentration and pH value. Based on our data, methyl orange was degraded completely in a short time. The enhanced catalytic activity and increased oxidation rate constant may be ascribed to synergistic catalyst‐activated decomposition of H₂O₂ to •OH radical, which was one of the strong oxidizing species. Besides, Fe₃O₄ /Au nanoparticles have exhibited satisfying recycle performance for potential industrial application.     

Green synthesis of iron (Fe) nanoparticles using Plumeria obtusa extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent: Antimicrobial,antioxidant and biocompatibility studies

In the current study, a green and facile route for the synthesis of iron nanoparticles (FeNPs) was adopted. The FeNPs were fabricated via a single step green route using aqueous leaves extract of Plumeria obtusa (P. obtusa) as a capping/reducing and stabilizing agents. The FeNPs were characterized by UV/Vis (Ultraviolet/Visible), FTIR (Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectroscopy), TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy), SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) and XRD (X-Ray Diffraction) techniques. The FeNPs were of spheroidal shape with average size of 50 nm. The biosynthesized FeNPs were further evaluated for their biological activities like antimicrobial, antioxidant and biocompatibility. The FeNPs displayed auspicious antimicrobial activity against bacterial (E. coli, B. subtilis) and fungal strains (A. niger) and S. commune. The test performed against red blood cells (RBCs) lysis (1.22 ± 0.02%) and macrophage (31 ± 0.09%) showed biocompatible nature of FeNPs. In vitro cytotoxicity against AU565 (82.03 ± 0.08–23.65 ± 0.065%) and HeLa (88.61 ± 0.06–33.34 ± 0.06%) cell lines showed cell viability loss in dose dependent manner (FeNPs 25–100 μg/mL). The antioxidant activities values were determined through DPPH, TRPA, NO and H₂O₂ assays with values 70.23 ± 0.02%, 76.65 ± 0.02 μg AAE/mg, 74.43 ± 0.04% and 67.34 ± 0.03%, respectively. Based on the bioactivities, the green synthesized FeNPs have potential for therapeutic applications.     

Kinetics and Mechanism of the Oxidation of 4-Oxo-4-arylbutanoic Acids by N-bromophthalimide in Aqueous Acetic Acid Medium

The kinetics of oxidation of a series of substituted 4-oxobutanoic acids (Y–C₆H₄COCH₂CH₂COOH: Y = H, OCH₃, CH₃, C₆H₅, Cl, Br or NO₂) by N-bromophthalimide have been studied in aqueous acetic acid medium at 30 °C. The total reaction is second-order, first-order each in oxidant and substrate. The oxidation rate increases linearly with [H⁺], establishing the hypobromous acidium ion, H₂O⁺Br, as the reactive species. A variation in ionic strength has no effect on the reaction rate. The order of reactivity among the studied 4-oxoacids is: 4-methoxy > 4-methyl > 4-phenyl > 4-H > 4-Cl > 4-Br > 3-NO₂. The effect of changes on the electronic nature of the substrate reveals that there is a development of positive charge in the transition state. The activation parameters have been computed from Arrhenius and Eyring plots. Based on the kinetic results, a suitable mechanism has been proposed.     

Thermodynamic study of complex formation process of free base meso-tetraphenylporphyrins with dimethyl and dibutyltin(IV) dichloride: a new algorithm for a single thermometric titration

A novel, fast and easy single sample measurement has been developed based upon temperature dependence of equilibrium constant in order to determine the enthalpy and entropy changes of a complexation reaction using spectrophotometric temperature titration. The method can be used in determination of the formation constant and thermodynamic parameters of the solutions that there are difficulties in their titration where volatile compounds are studying. Knowledge of component spectra is not required for the analysis. The formation constants of the interactions of ß-di and tri-brominated meso-tetraphenylporphyrins, and meso-tetrakis(4-methylphenyl) and (4-methoxyphenyl) porphyrins with Me₂SnCl₂ and Bu₂SnCl₂, have been determined in range of 0–25 °C utilizing van’t Hoff relation, mass balance and equilibrium constant equations by an iterative least squares method with ΔH ⁰ as adjustable parameter. The outputs of analysis are the equilibrium constants, ligand and adduct spectral profiles, their concentrations as a function of temperature, the adjusted values of the standard enthalpy ΔH ⁰, and entropy ΔS ⁰ changes. The order of formation constants of the resulting 1:1 complexes decreased with increasing number of bromide substituents and increased with adding methyl and methoxy groups, and vary as H₂T(4-CH₃O)PP > H₂T(4-CH₃)PP > H₂TPP > H₂TPPBr₂ > H₂TPPBr₃ and Me₂SnCl₂ > Bu₂SnCl₂.     

Use of Crude Glycerol as Sole Carbon Source for Microbial Lipid Production by Oleaginous Yeasts

Polyphenols of plant origin with wide range of antiradical activity can prevent diseases caused by oxidative and inflammatory processes. In this study, we show using ESR method that the purified water-soluble extract from leaves of Rhus typhina L. containing hydrolysable tannins and its main component, 3,6-bis-O-di-O-galloyl-1,2,4-tri-O-galloyl-β-d-glucose (C₅₅H₄₀O₃₄), displayed a strong antiradical activity against the synthetic 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) in homogenous (solution) and heterogeneous systems (suspension of DPPH containing liposomes) in the range of 1–10 μg/ml. The C₅₅H₄₀O₃₄ and extract at 1–30 μg/ml also efficiently, but to a various degree, decreased reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) formation induced in erythrocytes by oxidants, following the sequence: tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBuOOH) > peroxynitrite (ONOO^?) >hypochlorous acid (HClO). The explanation of these differences should be seen in the specificity of scavenging different RONS types. These relationships can be represented for C₅₅H₄₀O₃₄ and the extract by the following order of selectivity: O^.? ₂ ≥ NO· > ·OH > ¹O₂. The extract exerted a more pronounced antiradical effect in reaction with DPPH and ROS in all models of oxidative stress in erythrocytes in comparison with C₅₅H₄₀O₃₄. The redox processes between the extract components and their specificity in relation to RONS can underlie this effect.     

Photocatalytic Performance of H6P2W18O62/TiO2 Nanocomposite Encapsulated into Beta Zeolite under UV Irradiation in the Degradation of Methyl Orange

In this work, neat and supported H₆P₂W₁₈O₆₂ into nanocage of β‐zeolite were synthesized. However, H₆P₂W₁₈O₆₂ into nanocage of β‐zeolite was synthesized via template synthesis method. In addition, TiO₂ was supported on H₆P₂W₁₈O₆₂/β zeolite by impregnation method. The obtained materials were characterized by XRD, FT‐IR, UV‐Vis, FESEM and EDS techniques. Also, W and Ti contents of the catalyst were determined by ICP and EDS technique. The results reveal that the photocatalyst performance depends on catalyst loading, pH effect, and methyl orange concentration. Photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange follows a pseudo‐first order kinetic. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) experimental proved mineralization of methyl orange. Another reason for degradation and mineralization of methyl orange is the absence of hydrazine at the end of reaction which is one of the photodecolorization products. The plausible mechanism for photodegradation of MO was proposed.     

Correlation between the basicity of Cu–M<Subscript>x</Subscript>O<Subscript>y</Subscript>–Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> (M = Ba,Mg, K or La) oxide and the catalytic performance in the glycerol conversion from adsorption microcalorimetry characterization

The synthesis of CuO species highly dispersed in M_xO_y–Al₂O₃ (M = Ba, Mg, K or La) basic supports was studied, and the catalytic proprieties of the solids in glycerol conversion to bioproducts were subsequently evaluated. A correlation between the copper oxide/catalytic support structure, specific surface area/porosity and the basicity (strength and amount of basic sites) of M_xO_y–Al₂O₃ (M = Ba, Mg, K or La) supports were observed through the following characterization techniques: XRD (structure), N₂ adsorption/desorption isotherms (surface area/porosity) and microcalorimetry of CO₂ adsorption (basicity). The XRD results of the different supports indicated that the basic species (BaO, MgO, K₂O or La₂O₃) are highly dispersed in the Al₂O₃ matrix. The XRD patterns of the Ba and K-containing solids combined with copper present a CuO and Al₂O₃ formation; however, an isolated CuO phase for the Mg and La-based catalysts is not observed, demonstrating that Cu species are highly dispersed in basic support. N₂ physisorption isotherms ascribed that most of the samples are mesoporous with a surface area between 26 and 178 m² g^?1, depending on the solid composition. Microcalorimetry of CO₂ adsorption presented the following basic strength using the first points of the adsorption heat: 10MgAl > 10LaAl > 10KAl > 10BaAl for the sample without copper and 5CuMgAl > 5CuKAl > 5CuLaAl > 5CuBaAl for the materials with Cu. The amount of basic site varies greatly depending on the type of basic metal used. The different materials without copper are practically inactive at the end of the reaction. However, the Cu-based solids are active and selective for the conversion of glycerol to acetol. The initial glycerol conversion and the catalyst stability are related to basic strength and amount of basic sites, respectively.     

Photodegradation of aqueous methyl orange on MnTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> powder at different initial pH

The photodegradation of aqueous methyl orange on MnTiO₃ powder was studied in this work. The effects of initial pH and H₂O₂ on the photodegradation of aqueous methyl orange were studied. Single-phase MnTiO₃ powder was synthesized by a sol–gel method. X-ray diffraction analysis shows powders have a particle size of 43.7 nm and rhombohedral pyrophanite structure. The photocatalysis experiments revealed that the efficiency of decolorization of the aqueous methyl orange (1 × 10⁻⁵ M) on the MnTiO₃ powder is very fast in sunlight. The rate of decolorization appears larger at initial pH 5 and 9 than at pH 7. H₂O₂ (2%) can remarkably accelerate the decolorization at low initial pH.     

Epoxidation of cyclohexene with molecular oxygen by electrolysis combined with chemical catalysis

This paper describes an electrochemical coupling epoxidation of cyclohexene by molecular oxygen (O₂) under mild reaction conditions. Herein, the electroreduction of O₂ to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) efficiently proceeds in a relatively environmentally friendly acetone/water medium containing electrolytes at 25–30 °C on a self-assembled H type of electrolysis cell with tree electrodes system, providing ca. 44.3 mM concentration of H₂O₂ under the optimal electrolysis conditions. The epoxidation of cyclohexene with in situ generated H₂O₂ simultaneously occurs upon catalysis by metal complexes, giving ca. 19.8 % of cyclohexene conversion with 78 % of epoxidative selectivity over the best catalyst 5-Cl-7-I-8-quinolinolato manganese(III) complex (Q₃Mn^III (e)). The present electrochemical coupling epoxidation result is nearly equivalent to the epoxidation of cyclohexene with adscititious H₂O₂ catalyzed by the Q₃Mn^III (e).     

Hydrophilic Fe3O4 nanoparticles prepared by ferrocene as high‐efficiency heterogeneous Fenton catalyst for the degradation of methyl orange

Hydrophilic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were prepared with ferrocene as an iron source via the thermal decomposition method and their catalytic response towards methyl orange was investigated. The effects of the pH, temperature, H₂O₂ dosage, catalyst dosage and initial dye concentration on the degradation of methyl orange were researched in detail. Furthermore, the stability of the catalyst was evaluated by measuring the degradation rate in eight successive cycles. The study demonstrates that methyl orange can be completely degraded i.e., a 99% degratation rate was obtained within 3 min. This excellent catalytic activity is attributed to the small size and good dispersibility of the nanoparticles, which stimulate the rapid and massive generation of reactive oxygen species in the heterogeneous Fenton reaction. In addition, the magnetic separation of the catalyst offers great prospects for fast and economical decontamination of dye polluted water.     

Study of complex formation between 18-crown-6 and diaza-18-crown-6 with uranyl cation (UO2 2+) in some binary mixed aqueous and non-aqueous solvents

The complexation reaction between UO₂ ²⁺ cation with macrocyclic ligand, 18-crown-6 (18C6), was studied in acetonitrile–methanol (AN–MeOH), nitromethane–methanol (NM–MeOH) and propylencarbonate–ethanol (PC–EtOH) binary mixed systems at 25 °C. In addition, the complexation process between UO₂ ²⁺ cation with diaza-18-crown-6 (DA18C6) was studied in acetonitrile–methanol (AN–MeOH), acetonitrile–ethanol (AN–EtOH), acetonitrile–ethylacetate (AN–EtOAc), methanol–water (MeOH–H₂O), ethanol–water (EtOH–H₂O), acetonitrile–water (AN–H₂O), dimethylformamide–methanol (DMF–MeOH), dimethylformamide–ethanol (DMF–EtOH), and dimethylformamide–ethylacetate (DMF–EtOAc) binary solutions at 25 °C using the conductometric method. The conductance data show that the stoichiometry of the complexes formed between (18C6) and (DA18C6) with UO₂ ²⁺ cation in most cases is 1:1 [M:L], but in some solvent 1:2 [M:L₂] complex is formed in solutions. The values of stability constants (log K_f) of (18C6 · UO₂ ²⁺) and (DA18C6 · UO₂ ²⁺) complexes which were obtained from conductometric data, show that the nature and also the composition of the solvent systems are important factors that are effective on the stability and even the stoichiometry of the complexes formed in solutions. In all cases, a non-linear relationship is observed for the changes of stability constants (log K_f) of the (18C6 · UO₂ ²⁺) and (DA18C6 · UO₂ ²⁺) complexes versus the composition of the binary mixed solvents. The stability order of (18C6 · UO₂ ²⁺) complex in pure studied solvents was found to be: EtOH > AN ≈ NM > PC ≈ MeOH, but in the case of (DA18C6 · UO₂ ²⁺) complex it was : H₂O > MeOH > EtOH.     

Photocatalytic ozonation for degradation of 2-sec-butyl-4,6-dinitrophenol (DNBP) using titanium dioxide: effect of operational parameters and wastewater treatment

The results of degradation efficiency of 2-sec-butyl-4,6-dinitrophenol (DNBP) in a batch system by various advanced oxidation processes revealed the order of TiO₂/UV/O₃ > TiO₂/O₃ > UV/O₃ > O₃ > UV/TiO₂. All processes followed pseudo-first order kinetics. The influence of operational parameters such as initial pH, initial concentration of DNBP, ozone and catalyst dosage on the TiO₂/UV/O₃ process, which was the most significant investigated method. The ozone dosage was found to have the noticeable impact on the process; however, initial pH and TiO₂ dosage were less effective. The mineralization of 40 mg/L of DNBP and petrochemical wastewater under the obtained optimal conditions was monitored by total organic carbon and chemical oxygen demand, respectively. The results demonstrated that the TiO₂/UV/O₃ process was a very effective method for degradation and mineralization of DNBP in aqueous solutions and industrial wastewater. The degradation intermediates were identified by GC–MS.