Photocatalytic degradation of naphthalene in aqueous TiO2 dispersions: Effect of nonionic surfactants

The decomposition of naphthalene in the presence of TiO2 dispersions irradiated with simulated solar light has been investigated in water and in aqueous Brij 35 solutions, used to wash soil samples containing the adsorbed pollutant. The monitoring of the reaction system performed during the treatment showed the formation of various aromatic intermediates, in turn degraded, which were identified using suitable analytical techniques. Fast and complete mineralization of naphthalene to CO2 was achieved when working in the absence of additives, whereas a neat inhibition of the degradation was observed in the presence of amphiphiles and other organic components coming from soil. Experimental conditions under which surfactant-containing washes can be treated were investigated and defined.