Photocatalytic degradation of profenofos using silver-platinum doped zeolite

Organophosphate insecticides are persistent organic pollutants that have a variety of adverse impacts in several environmental compartments. The photo-degradation of organophosphate profenofos was researched in the presence and absence of silver-platinum-doped zeolite in (Ag-Pt-Zeolite) upon irradiation with ultraviolet light at wavelengths of 302 and 254 nm. Photo-degradation of profenofos at 302 nm and in the presence of Ag-Pt-Zeolite was 73 % complete in 60 min. GC/MS analysis indicated the formation of two major photo-degradation products upon irradiation with 302 nm in the presence of the catalyst. Moreover, four products were identified for the irradiation with 254 nm in the presence of the catalyst and for the uncatalyzed irradiated profenofos samples. The toxicity of the degradation products was assessed by exposure experiments using Drosophila melanogaster. These experiments showed that degradation resulted in overall less toxic products within the first 30 min of degradation, followed by an overall increase in toxicity after 30 min of UV exposure. The present work provides a treatment technique for the adequate removal of profenofos from water sources in order to mitigate its detrimental effects on the environment.