Possible degradation pathways of triclosan from aqueous systems via TiO2 assisted photocatalysis

Abstract

Triclosan (TCS) is an antimicrobial agent used for personal care products that cannot be removed by wastewater treatment classical processes. TCS persistence and toxicity is asking for alternative treatment methods such as TiO2 assisted photocatalyse. Due to the fact that within the literature are presented various pathways for TCS degradation via UV/TiO2 photocatalysis, some data being contradictory, research work aimed to propose a degradation mechanism supported by as many experimental data. TCS degradation pathways confirmed by experimental results were: addition of hydroxyl radicals at TCS nonphenolic ring, proton extraction by hydroxyl radicals and direct interaction with photo generated electrons.