LAUSR

Abstract Photocatalytic degradation technology is an important and promising method for complete elimination of toxic organics. In this study, the photocatalytic degradation of acetochlor using α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles under H2O2/UV system was studied with UV-Vis spectrophotometer and GC MS. The degradation rate was investigated on the effects of α-Fe2O3 morphology and dosage, initial acetochlor concentration, solution pH, and H2O2 dosage. The results showed that photocatalytic degradation efficiency could reach 91% by α-Fe2O3 with 200 mg/L hollow morphology at an initial acetochlor concentration, pH value, and H2O2 dosage of 50 mg/L, 7 and 40 μL, respectively. The photocatalytic reaction mechanism and degradation process of acetochlor by α-Fe2O3 were investigated and the degradation pathway of acetochlor was proposed. The oxidative attack involves N C bond connecting the aromatic ring with side chain, the nitrogen-containing side chain, chlorinated aliphatic to produce 1-methyl-3-ving-benzene, allyl-methyl-amine and 1-chloro-2-ethoxy-ethane. These intermediate products could be further oxidized to NO3−, CO2 and H2O. These findings provide new insights for the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants in the using α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles to achieve pollutant degradation.