Photocatalytic degradation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene

A Pt/TiO 2 photocatalyst was used in the photocatalytic degradation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) under the irradiation of the simulated sunlight. The results show that the destruction of TNT is faster and more complete with the photocatalyst. The photocatalytic degradation of TNT follows first order kinetics. The transformation of nitryl groups of TNT molecules into nitrite and nitrate ions may be accelerated in the presence of the Pt/TiO 2 photocatalyst. Compared with that without the catalyst, the concentration of nitrate ions was improved 32.3 times within 2.5 h.