Oxidative destruction of chlorinated persistent organic pollutants by hydroxyl radicals via ozone and UV light irradiation

Abstract

We developed a method for oxidative destruction of organochlorines and several persistent organic pollutants (POPs) by in situ generated hydroxyl radicals using ozone gas and acetonitrile (ACN)–water (2 : 1) as a solvent under ultraviolet light irradiation at room temperature. This method degrades tough and difficult-to-be-oxidized POPs into useful and non-toxic products using ozone gas, which is eco-friendly and helps in remediation of Earth's atmosphere. Besides, we have derived a possible degradation mechanism for several organochlorine compounds and pollutants. Overall, this method is mild, operation friendly, highly efficient, and economically feasible for the degradation of various organochlorine compounds.