Photo-oxidation of hexacyanoferrate (II) and (III) ions in aqueous solution

Abstract

Photolysis of hexacyanoferrate (III) induced by hydrogen peroxide exhibits an efficient and fast route of degradation compared toTiO₂ catalyst. The parameters studied whose effects have been determined for this purpose include <em>p</em>H, time of irradiation, wavelength used and the concentration of various species. The rate of degradation of potassium ferricyanidle when exposed to UV light, uncatalysed or catalysed, with TiO₂ does not show any significant difference,' It may be attributed to the presence of soluble iron (III) acting as redox system converting the yanide into cyanate. The addition of H₂O₂ enhances the generation of hydroxyl radical and increases the rate of degradation.