Radical chemistry of diethyl phthalate oxidation via UV/peroxymonosulfate process: Roles of primary and secondary radicals

Abstract The UV/peroxymonosulfate (PMS) process forms hydroxyl radicals (•OH) and sulfate radicals (SO4•-) to degrade micro-pollutants. Both these two radicals can be converted to secondary radicals (e.g. Cl2•-, CO3•- and Cl•) by effects of water matrix components. By using laser flash photolysis, the second-order rate constants for reactions of three PAEs with •OH, SO4•-, Cl2•-, Cl• and CO3•- were determined as (3.5∼4.4) × 109, (4.9∼5.6) × 108, (1.1∼1.3) × 107, (1.8∼2.0) × 1010 and