Fluorescence analysis of polyaromatic hydrocarbon photodegradation in the presence of polypropylene microfibers

In this study, degradation of naphthalene and anthracene in water using ultraviolet (UV) light in the presence of polypropylene microfibers (PPM) modified with TiO₂ was investigated using fluorescence analysis. KrCl (λ_rad = 222 nm) and XeCl (λ_rad = 308 nm) excilamps were used in a photoreactor. Phototransformation was studied for compounds in the presence of PPMs modified with TiO₂ particles. The results indicated that the toxicants concentration was reduced by two orders of magnitude in the presence of PPMs. This reduction was due to effective adsorption of naphthalene and anthracene from water onto the surface of the PPMs. Exposure to the toxicant–water–PPM system to UV light led to the formation of fluorescent photoproducts.