Paliwal Praveen Kumar, Ameta Rakshit and Choudhary Varsha
Abstract
Performance of cerium doped zinc oxide was evaluated as a catalyst for photodegradation of the insecticide, thiamethoxam. The experiments were conducted using mercury lamps as source of ultra-violet radiation. The effects on rate of pesticide degradation were studied by varying the percentage of cerium doped catalyst, pH, the concentration of the catalyst, pesticide concentration, and intensity of light. Degradation was monitored by UV spectrophotometrically. Optimum conditions were achieved, as pH = 8.2, Thiamethoxam concentration = 18 ppm, 3% Ce-ZnO catalyst = 150 mg and light intensity=19.2 m W cm-2. About 70% of thiamethoxam degradation was achieved under these conditions.