Photocatalytic Degradation of a Chlorinated Organic Chemical Using Activated Carbon Fiber Coupled with Semiconductor

Hydrothermal mediated synthesis was used to couple activated carbon fiber and semiconductor. Batch mode photocatalytic experiments were performed to investigate the efficacy of the developed photocatalyst in the degradation of 2, 4‐dichlorophenol. Operational parameters including initial concentration of 2, 4‐dichlorophenol and catalyst loading were optimized at natural pH conditions. Addition of inorganic anions during the degradation revealed that the presence of anions greatly affects the degradation efficiency. The significance of highly reactive radicals on the photocatalytic degradation was identified by the addition of radical scavengers such as isopropanol (OH˙), benzoquinone (˙ ${\text{O}}_2^{-}$) and potassium iodide (h⁺). Reusability of the photocatalyst was confirmed by conducting five cyclic studies. Further, the dissolution of Zn²⁺ in the solution was analyzed and determined to be 0.199 μg mL^?1. Seed germination study was conducted to examine the toxicity nature of ZnO on growth and development of Vigna radiata.