Photocatalytic Degradation of Copper(II) Palmitates in Non Aqueous Media Using ZnO as Photocatalyst

Abstract

AbstractThe photocatalytic degradation of copper(II) soaps derived from palmitic acid was carried out in the presence of semiconductor zinc oxide (ZnO) and was observed spectrophotometrically. The operational parameters such as concentration of soap, catalyst loading, light intensity, effect of solvent were investigated during the process. The studies suggest that the rate of the photocatalytic degradation increases with the increase in the concentration of soap to 800 ppm and then continuously decreases. Rate of degradation increases with the amount of semiconductor and with further increase in the amount of semiconductor, the rate becomes constant. The degradation is maximum at a light intensity of 38 mW cm−2. An increase in the solvent polarity inhibits the rate of degradation. A tentative mechanism has also been proposed for the photocatalytic degradation of copper(II) palmitate soap.