Continuous flow photocatalytic degradation of carbaryl in aqueous media

Abstract

The photocatalytic degradation of carbaryl, present in aqueous solutions containing suspended TiO₂ particles, has been studied in a continuous flow system, using a polytetrafluoroethylene photochemical reactor, equipped with an UV lamp. In order to optimize the process the effect of pH, catalyst and pesticide concentration, and irradiation time have been evaluated, working in the best conditions, the measured half‐life of carbaryl was 26 seconds. More than 99% of carbaryl present in solutions containing 0.2 mgL^‐1 of pesticide decomposes after less than 1 minute irradiation.