Photocatalytic decomposition of organic compounds in aqueous solutions

The degradation of aqueous trichloroethylene (TCE) to Co{sub 2} and HCl is accomplished photocatalytically by irradiating TCE solutions, which contain suspensions of anatase TiO{sub 2}, with simulated sunlight. Increases in the incident beam energy increase the TCE decomposition rate. Destruction of TCE was demonstrated from initial concentrations of 60 ppM to less than 50 ppB.