| Anthropogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and semi-volatile organic (SVOCs) compounds are atmospheric pollutants contributing to the photochemical formation of tropospheric ozone. We combined adsorption and UV photolysis techniques for the removal and degradation of selected VOCs and SVOCs. For adsorption, we synthesized magnetite nanoparticles, a naturally occurring material, to avoid unknown detrimental impacts associated with new materials, as was the case with chlorofluorcarbons. The removal efficiency with magnetite was up to 98% for aromatics, and 30% for light alkanes. Magnetite nanoparticles were regenerated, characterized (TEM, XRD, BET), and reused with no decrease in reported removal efficiencies. Photolysis alone removed up to 30% of aromatics, and less than 20% of light alkanes. The combination of adsorption, and photolysis did not improve the removal efficiency. Adsorption was attributed to London dispersion interactions for light alkanes, and to acid-base properties for aromatics. Reductions by photolysis were attributed to reactive radicals. |
