AbstractA broadband method has been applied to determine the quantum yields for the photochemical removal of three common pollutants: phenol, 4-chlorophenol and N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in dilute aqueous solution. Flash photolysis (xenon flash lamps) was used to cause a significant amount of photolysis without photolyzing intermediates. The analysis of reactant depletion following a single flash was carried out by high- performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or UV/visible absorption spectroscopy. The method for determining quantum-yields employed p-benzoquinone as an actinometer and was validated by determining the average (200-400 nm) quantum yield for the generation of hydroxyl radicals from the photolysis of hydrogen peroxide (0.90 ± 0.10) and the quantum yields for the photolysis of phenol (0.13 ± 0.02) and 4-chlorophenol (0.24 ± 0.04). The values determined agree very well with the literature ones obtained with monochromatic radiation. The quantum yield for the direct photolysis of NDMA was found to be 0.11 ± 0.03 at neutral pH and 0.27 ± 0.02 at pH 2-4. Under conditions where hydrogen peroxide is the principal absorber, the NDMA quantum yield is 0.32 ± 0.04, independent of pH in the range 2-8.
