Photocatalytic Degradation of Dinotefuran by Cerium-doped Zinc Oxide

Abstract

The study evaluated the photocatalytic degradation of neonicotinoid insecticide Dinotefuran. The degradation was evaluated with variable concentration of Cerium doped ZnO and ZnO alone. The study was performed with mercury lamps as an artificial source of ultraviolet light. The rate of degradation was studied by using variable percentage of cerium doped catalyst, pH, concentration of catalyst, pesticide concentration and intensity of light. The degradation was monitored by UV spectrophotometer. The optimum conditions were achieved as pH=6.5, dinotefuran concentration 12 ppm, photocatalyst amount = 150 mg of 2% Ce doped ZnO and light intensity is 19.2 m W cm^-2. About 77% dinotefuran degradation was achieved under these conditions.