The Efficient Photocatalytic Degradation of Methyl Tert‐butyl Ether Under Pd/ZnO and Visible Light Irradiation

• DOI: 10.1111/php.12391
• Publication Date: 2014-11-14T21:23:26Z
• Authors: Zaki S. Seddigi; Saleh A. Ahmed; Ali Bumajdad; Ekram Y. Danish; Ahmed M. Shawky; Mohammed A. Gondal; Mustafa Soylak
• Keywords: Oxygenate; Methyl tert-butyl ether; Visible spectrum; Spillage; Degradation

Methyl tert-butyl ether is a commonly used fuel oxygenate that present in gasoline. It was introduced to eliminate the use of leaded gasoline and improve octane quality because it aids complete combustion by supplying oxygen during process. Over past decade, MTBE has increased tremendously worldwide. For obvious reasons relating accidental spillage, started appear as an environmental human health threat its nonbiodegradable nature carcinogenic potential, respectively. In this work, degraded with help advanced oxidation process through zinc oxide photocatalyst presence visible light. A mixture 200 mg 350 mL 50 ppm aqueous solution irradiated light for given time. The degradation recorded, approximately 99% photocatalytic 100 observed. Additionally, photoactivity 1% Pd-doped ZnO tested under similar conditions understand effect Pd doping on ZnO. Our results obtained irradiation are very promising, they could be further explored several nondegradable pollutants.