Photoassisted Degradation of 4-Chlorophenol and p-Cresol Using MgAl Hydrotalcites

MgAl hydrotalcites, or layered double hydroxides (LDHs), with different Mg/Al molar ratios were synthesized by the coprecipitation method. The structure of the solids was collapsed by thermal treatment at 723 K obtaining MgAl mixed oxides with high specific surface areas (264−318 m2/g). When these oxides were put in contact with aqueous solutions containing 4-chlorophenol and para-cresol (80 ppm:0.62 and 0.73 mmol, respectively) the layered structure was recovered by rehydration of the material showing the named “memory effect” of LDH materials. Mg/Al LDHs were active for chlorophenol and p-cresol degradation under UV irradiation, being more active and selective to the mineralization of the pollutants than TiO2 P-25 photocatalysts. Since Mg/Al hydrotalcites are not semiconductors their high photoassisted activity was surprising; this activity was explained by a photo excitation which produces mobility of charges in the lamellar structure, inducing the formation of photoactive defects.