Degradation of acetic acid with sulfate radical generated by persulfate ions photolysis

The photolysis of was studied for the removal of acetic acid in aqueous solution and compared with the H₂O₂/UV system. The radicals generated from the UV irradiation of ions yield a greater mineralization of acetic acid than the OH radicals. Acetic acid is oxidized by radicals without significant formation of intermediate by-products. Increasing system pH results in the formation of OH radicals from radicals. Maximum acetic acid degradation occurred at pH 5. The results suggest that above this pH, competitive reactions with the carbon mineralized inhibit the reaction of the solute with and also OH radicals. Scavenging effects of two naturally occurring ions were tested; in contrast to ions, the presence of Cl⁻ ions enhances the efficiency of the /UV process towards the acetate removal. It is attributed to the formation of the Cl radical and its great reactivity towards acetate.