Fast Degradation of Monochloroacetic Acid by BiOI-Enhanced UV/S(IV) Process: Efficiency and Mechanism

Abstract

Iodide ( I − ) could promote ultraviolet-activated S(IV) processes (UV/S(IV)) and degrade aqueous halogenated organic compounds and hazardous oxoanions. With the interest of promoting use of this technology, this study investigated the feasibility of using bismuth oxyiodide (BiOI) as an I − source to enhance UV/S(IV) where monochloroacetic acid (MCAA) was selected as a testing model compound. Degradation of MCAA by UV/S(IV) increased by 50% in presence of BiOI. Results of competitive kinetics indicated that the promotion effect brought by BiOI mainly originated from its sustainable release of I − , and subsequent enhanced generation of hydrated electrons. Electron spin resonance detection and fluorescence characterization proved increased formation of sulfite radical, resulting from sulfite oxidation by UV-excited BiOI. However, the sulfite radical only made a small contribution (9%) to MCAA degradation due to its moderate reactivity toward MCAA (4.2 × 105 M−1·s−1). UV/S(IV) combined with BiOI significantly decreasing the biotoxicity of MCAA solution. BiOI can be regenerated using I − -containing solution. Our findings provide evidence that BiOI is a promising I − source and photocatalyst, which progresses the I − -assisted UV/S(IV) process towards practical application.