Photocatalytic degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - A comparative study in hydrothermal TiO 2 and commercial TiO 2

•Photocatalytic degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) by hydrothermally prepared TiO2.•Comparative assessment with widely studied TiO2 such as P25 (Degussa), Hombicat (UV-100) and Commercial grade TiO2.•Degradation of 2,4-D under natural Sunlight vs. UV light.•1, 2, 4 benzenetriol is the major intermediate during 2,4-D degradation.