Electro-Fenton Process and Related Electrochemical Technologies Based on Fenton’s Reaction Chemistry

Comparison of o-toluidine degradation by Fenton, electro-Fenton and photoelectro-Fenton processes

A Box-Behnken design (BBD) statistical experimental design was used to investigate the degradation of o-toluidine by the electro-Fenton process. This method can be used to determine the optimal conditions in multivariable systems. Fe(2+) concentration (0.2-1.0mM), H(2)O(2) concentration (1-5mM), pH (2-4), and current (1-4A) were selected as independent variables. The removal efficiencies for o-toluidine and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were represented by the response function. Result by 2-level factorial design show that the pH and the Fe(2+) and H(2)O(2) concentrations were the principal parameters. Among the main parameters, the removal efficiencies for o-toluidine and COD were significantly affected by pH and Fe(2+) concentration. From the Box-Behnken design predictions, the optimal conditions in the electro-Fenton process for removing 90.8% of o-toluidine and 40.9% of COD were found to be 1mM of Fe(2+) and 4.85 mM of H(2)O(2) at pH 2. Under these optimal conditions, the experimental data showed that the removal efficiencies for o-toluidine and COD in the electro-Fenton process and the photoelectro-Fenton process were more than 91% and 43%, respectively, after 60 min of reaction. The removal efficiencies for o-toluidine and COD in the Fenton process are 56% and 27%, respectively.

Mineralization of desmetryne by electrochemical advanced oxidation processes using a boron-doped diamond anode and an oxygen-diffusion cathode

The mineralization of acidic aqueous solutions of the herbicide desmetryne has been studied by electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs) such as anodic oxidation with electrogenerated H(2)O(2) (AO-H(2)O(2)), electro-Fenton (EF) and photoelectro-Fenton (PEF) with UVA light. Electrolyses were conducted in an open and cylindrical cell with a boron-doped diamond (BDD) anode and an O(2)-diffusion cathode for H(2)O(2) generation. The main oxidizing species are ()OH radicals formed at the BDD surface in all treatments and in the bulk from Fenton's reaction between added Fe(2+) and electrogenerated H(2)O(2) in EF and PEF. A poor mineralization was attained using AO-H(2)O(2) by the slow oxidation of persistent by-products with ()OH at the BDD surface. The synergistic action of ()OH in the bulk enhanced the degradation rate in EF, although almost total mineralization was only achieved in PEF due to the additional ()OH generation and photolysis of intermediates by UVA irradiation. The effect of current, pH and herbicide concentration on the mineralization degree and mineralization current efficiency of each EAOP was examined. Desmetryne decay always followed a pseudo first-order kinetics, being more rapidly destroyed in the sequence AO-H(2)O(2)<EF<PEF. In all EAOPs, ammeline and cyanuric acid were identified as persistent heteroaromatic by-products and oxamic and formic acids were detected as generated carboxylic acids. The generation of cyanuric acid mainly by oxidation with ()OH at the BDD surface is the predominant path for desmetryne degradation. The initial nitrogen of desmetryne yielded NO(3)(-) ion in low proportion and NH(4)(+) ion in much lesser extent, suggesting that its major part was lost as volatile N-derivatives.

Solar photoelectro-Fenton degradation of the herbicide 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid optimized by response surface methodology

A central composite rotatable design and response surface methodology (RSM) were used to optimize the experimental variables of the solar photoelectro-Fenton (SPEF) treatment of the herbicide 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid (MCPA). The experiments were made with a flow plant containing a Pt/air-diffusion reactor coupled to a solar compound parabolic collector (CPC) under recirculation of 10 L of 186 mg L(-1) MCPA solutions in 0.05 M Na(2)SO(4) at a liquid flow rate of 180 L h(-1) with an average UV irradiation intensity of about 32 Wm(-2). The optimum variables found for the SPEF process were 5.0 A, 1.0mM Fe(2+) and pH 3.0 after 120 min of electrolysis. Under these conditions, 75% of mineralization with 71% of current efficiency and 87.7 k Wh kg(-1) TOC of energy consumption were obtained. MCPA decayed under the attack of generated hydroxyl radicals following a pseudo-first-order kinetics. Hydroxyl radicals also destroyed 4-chloro-2-methylphenol, methylhydroquinone and methyl-p-benzoquinone detected as aromatic by-products. Glycolic, maleic, fumaric, malic, succinic, tartronic, oxalic and formic acids were identified as generated carboxylic acids, which form Fe(III) complexes that are quickly photodecarboxylated by the UV irradiation of sunlight at the CPC photoreactor. A reaction sequence for the SPEF degradation of MCPA was proposed.

Pd-catalytic in situ generation of H2O2 from H2 and O2 produced by water electrolysis for the efficient electro-fenton degradation of rhodamine B

A novel electro-Fenton process was developed for wastewater treatment using a modified divided electrolytic system in which H2O2 was generated in situ from electro-generated H2 and O2 in the presence of Pd/C catalyst. Appropriate pH conditions were obtained by the excessive H+ produced at the anode. The performance of the novel process was assessed by Rhodamine B (RhB) degradation in an aqueous solution. Experimental results showed that the accumulation of H2O2 occurred when the pH decreased and time elapsed. The maximum concentration of H2O2 reached 53.1 mg/L within 120 min at pH 2 and a current of 100 mA. Upon the formation of the Fenton reagent by the addition of Fe2+, RhB degraded completely within 30 min at pH 2 with a pseudo first order rate constant of 0.109 ± 0.009 min(-1). An insignificant decline in H2O2 generation and RhB degradation was found after six repetitions. RhB degradation was achieved by the chemisorption of H2O2 on the Pd/C surface, which subsequently decomposed into •OH upon catalysis by Pd0 and Fe2+. The catalytic decomposition of H2O2 to •OH by Fe2+ was more powerful than that by Pd0, which was responsible for the high efficiency of this novel electro-Fenton process.

Comparative electrochemical treatments of two chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons. Time course of the main reaction by-products

Acidic aqueous solutions of the chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons 1,2-dichloroethane (DCA) and 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane (TCA) have been treated by the electro-Fenton (EF) process. Bulk electrolyses were performed at constant current using a BDD anode and an air diffusion cathode able to generate H(2)O(2) in situ, which reacts with added Fe(2+) to yield OH from Fenton's reaction. At 300 mA, almost total mineralization was achieved at 420 min for solutions containing 4mM of either DCA or TCA. Comparative treatments without Fe(2+) (anodic oxidation) or with a Pt anode led to a poorer mineralization. The better performance of the EF process with BDD is explained by the synergistic action of the oxidizing radicals, BDD(OH) at the anode surface and OH in the bulk, and the minimization of diffusional limitations. The decay of the initial pollutant accomplished with pseudo first-order kinetics. Chloroacetic and dichloroacetic acids were the major by-products during the degradation of DCA and TCA, respectively. Acetic, oxalic and formic acids were also identified. The proposed reaction pathways include oxidative and reductive (cathodic) dechlorination steps. Chlorine was released as Cl(-), being further oxidized to ClO(3)(-) and, mostly, to ClO(4)(-), due to the action of the largely generated BDD(OH) and OH.

Degradation of pharmaceutical beta-blockers by electrochemical advanced oxidation processes using a flow plant with a solar compound parabolic collector

The degradation of the beta-blockers atenolol, metoprolol tartrate and propranolol hydrochloride was studied by electro-Fenton (EF) and solar photoelectro-Fenton (SPEF). Solutions of 10 L of 100 mg L⁻¹ of total organic carbon of each drug in 0.1 M Na₂SO₄ with 0.5 mM Fe²⁺ of pH 3.0 were treated in a recirculation flow plant with an electrochemical reactor coupled with a solar compound parabolic collector. Single Pt/carbon felt (CF) and boron-doped diamond (BDD)/air-diffusion electrode (ADE) cells and combined Pt/ADE-Pt/CF and BDD/ADE-Pt/CF cells were used. SPEF treatments were more potent with the latter cell, yielding 95-97% mineralization with 100% of maximum current efficiency and energy consumptions of about 0.250 kWh g TOC⁻¹. However, the Pt/ADE-Pt/CF cell gave much lower energy consumptions of about 0.080 kWh g TOC⁻¹ with slightly lower mineralization of 88-93%, then being more useful for its possible application at industrial level. The EF method led to a poorer mineralization and was more potent using the combined cells by the additional production of hydroxyl radicals (•OH) from Fenton's reaction from the fast Fe²⁺ regeneration at the CF cathode. Organics were also more rapidly destroyed at BDD than at Pt anode. The decay kinetics of beta-blockers always followed a pseudo first-order reaction, although in SPEF, it was accelerated by the additional production of •OH from the action of UV light of solar irradiation. Aromatic intermediates were also destroyed by hydroxyl radicals. Ultimate carboxylic acids like oxalic and oxamic remained in the treated solutions by EF, but their Fe(III) complexes were photolyzed by solar irradiation in SPEF, thus explaining its higher oxidation power. NO₃⁻ was the predominant inorganic ion lost in EF, whereas the SPEF process favored the production of NH₄⁺ ion and volatile N-derivatives.

Degradation of 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid by a novel Electro-Fe(II)/Oxone process using iron sheet as the sacrificial anode

A novel electrochemically enhanced advanced oxidation process for the destruction of organic contaminants in aqueous solution is reported in this study. The process involves the use of an iron (Fe) sheet as sacrificial anode and a graphite bar as cathode. In the oxidation process, once an electric current is applied between the anode and the cathode, a predetermined amount of Oxone is added to the reactor. Ferrous ions generated from the sacrificed Fe anode mediate the generation of highly powerful radicals (SO(4)(•-)) through the decomposition of Oxone. The coupled process of Fe(II)/Oxone and electrochemical treatment (Electro-Fe(II)/Oxone) was evaluated in terms of 2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic acid degradation in aqueous solution. Various parameters were investigated to optimize the process, including applied current, electrolyte and Oxone concentration. In addition, low solution pH facilitates the system performance due to the dual effects of weak Fenton reagent generation and persulfate ions generation, whereas the system performance was inhibited at basic pH levels through non-radical self-dissociation of Oxone and the formation of ferric hydroxide precipitates. Furthermore, the active radicals involved in the Electro-Fe(II)/Oxone process were also identified. The Electro-Fe(II)/Oxone process demonstrates a very high 2,4,5-T degradation efficiency (over 90% decay within 10 min), which justifies the novel Electro-Fe(II)/Oxone a promising treatment process for herbicide removal in water.

In dialyzed squid axons oxidative stress inhibits the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger by impairing the Cai2+-regulatory site

The Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger, a major mechanism by which cells extrude calcium, is involved in several physiological and physiopathological interactions. In this work we have used the dialyzed squid giant axon to study the effects of two oxidants, SIN-1-buffered peroxynitrite and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), on the Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger in the absence and presence of MgATP upregulation. The results show that oxidative stress induced by peroxynitrite and hydrogen peroxide inhibits the Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger by impairing the intracellular Ca(2+) (Ca(i)(2+))-regulatory sites, leaving unharmed the intracellular Na(+)- and Ca(2+)-transporting sites. This effect is efficiently counteracted by the presence of MgATP and by intracellular alkalinization, conditions that also protect H(i)(+) and (H(i)(+) + Na(i)(+)) inhibition of Ca(i)(2+)-regulatory sites. In addition, 1 mM intracellular EGTA reduces oxidant inhibition. However, once the effects of oxidants are installed they cannot be reversed by either MgATP or EGTA. These results have significant implications regarding the role of the Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger in response to pathological conditions leading to tissue ischemia-reperfusion and anoxia/reoxygenation; they concur with a marked reduction in ATP concentration, an increase in oxidant production, and a rise in intracellular Ca(2+) concentration that seems to be the main factor responsible for cell damage.

Effectiveness and pathways of electrochemical degradation of pretilachlor herbicides

Pretilachlor used as one kind of acetanilide herbicides is potentially dangerous and biorefractory. In this work, electrochemical degradation of lab-synthetic pretilachlor wastewater was carried out with Sb doped Ti/SnO(2) electrode as anode and stainless steel as cathode. The effect of current density on pretilachlor degradation was investigated, and the degradation pathway of pretilachlor was inferred by analyzing its main degradation intermediates. The results showed that the removal of pretilachlor and TOC in treatment time of 60 min were 98.8% and 43.1% under the conditions of current density of 20 mA cm(-2), initial concentration of pretilachlor of 60 mg L(-1), Na(2)SO(4) dosage of 0.1 mol L(-1), pH of 7.2, respectively, while the energy consumption was 15.8 kWhm(-3). The main reactions for electrochemical degradation of pretilachlor included hydroxylation, oxidation, dechlorination, C-O bond and C-N bond cleavage, resulting in the formation of nine main intermediates.

Degradations of model compounds representing some phenolics in olive mill wastewater via electro-Fenton and photoelectro-Fenton treatments

The electrochemical oxidation of vanillic acid, o-coumaric acid and protocatechuic acid, three representative toxic phenolics in olive mill wastewater, was studied using carbon felt cathode in the electro-Fenton system. Results obtained, in the presence or absence of UV support, were compared throughout the degradation processes up to mineralization. It was demonstrated that all three phenolic compounds reacted completely with hydroxyl radicals and degraded efficiently. It was shown in the photoelectro-Fenton process that the degradation and mineralization efficiency of the phenolic compounds were enhanced by the effect of UV light, especially at the later stages of the degradation processes.

Oxalic acid mineralization by electrochemical oxidation processes

In this study, two electrochemical oxidation processes were utilized to mineralize oxalic acid which was a major intermediate compound in the oxidation of phenols and other aromatic compounds. The anode rod and cathode net were made of a titanium coated with RuO(2)/IrO(2) (Ti-DSA) and stainless steel (S.S. net, SUS304), respectively. First, the Fered-Fenton process, which used H(2)O(2) and Fe(2+) as additive reagents, achieved 85% of TOC removal. It proceeded with ligand-to-metal charge-transfer (LMCT), which was evidenced by the accumulation of metallic foil on the selected cathode. However, in the absence of H(2)O(2)/Fe(2+), it showed a higher TOC removal efficiency while using Cl(-) only as an additive reagent due to the formation of hypochlorite on the anode. It was also found that the mineralization of oxalic acid by electrolysis generated hypochlorite better than the dosage of commercial hypochlorite without electricity. Also, pH value was a major factor that affected the mineralization efficiency of the oxalic acid due to the chlorine chemistry. 99% TOC removal could be obtained by Cl(-) electrolysis in an acidic environment.

Mineralization of the recalcitrant oxalic and oxamic acids by electrochemical advanced oxidation processes using a boron-doped diamond anode

Oxalic and oxamic acids are the ultimate and more persistent by-products of the degradation of N-aromatics by electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs). In this paper, the kinetics and oxidative paths of these acids have been studied for several EAOPs using a boron-doped diamond (BDD) anode and a stainless steel or an air-diffusion cathode. Anodic oxidation (AO-BDD) in the presence of Fe(2+) (AO-BDD-Fe(2+)) and under UVA irradiation (AO-BDD-Fe(2+)-UVA), along with electro-Fenton (EF-BDD), was tested. The oxidation of both acids and their iron complexes on BDD was clarified by cyclic voltammetry. AO-BDD allowed the overall mineralization of oxalic acid, but oxamic acid was removed much more slowly. Each acid underwent a similar decay in AO-BDD-Fe(2+) and EF-BDD, as expected if its iron complexes were not attacked by hydroxyl radicals in the bulk. The faster and total mineralization of both acids was achieved in AO-BDD-Fe(2+)-UVA due to the high photoactivity of their Fe(III) complexes that were continuously regenerated by oxidation of their Fe(II) complexes. Oxamic acid always released a larger proportion of NH(4)(+) than NO(3)(-) ion, as well as volatile NO(x) species. Both acids were independently oxidized at the anode in AO-BDD, but in AO-BDD-Fe(2+)-UVA oxamic acid was more slowly degraded as its content decreased, without significant effect on oxalic acid decay. The increase in current density enhanced the oxidation power of the latter method, with loss of efficiency. High Fe(2+) contents inhibited the oxidation of Fe(II) complexes by the competitive oxidation of Fe(2+) to Fe(3+). Low current densities and Fe(2+) contents are preferable to remove more efficiently these acids by the most potent AO-BDD-Fe(2+)-UVA method.

A heterogeneous Fenton-like system with nanoparticulate zero-valent iron for removal of 4-chloro-3-methyl phenol

The removal of biocide 4-chloro-3-methyl phenol (CMP) was investigated by heterogeneous Fenton-like system using nanoparticulate zero-valent iron (nZVI) as catalyst. The properties of nZVI before and after reaction were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effects of pH value, initial concentration of CMP, nZVI dose and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) concentration were determined. The experimental results showed that lower pH value and CMP concentration brought faster degradation rate. With the initial pH value of 6.1 and initial CMP concentration of 0.7 mM, the optimal dosage of reagents were 0.5 g nZVI/L and 3.0 mM H(2)O(2). At pH 6.1, the degradation of CMP followed two-stage first-order kinetic that composed of an induction period (first-stage) and a followed rapid degradation stage (second-stage). According to the effects of scavengers n-butanol and KI, hydroxyl radicals (OH), especially the surface-bounded •OH, had a dominant role in the oxidation of CMP. The degradation intermediates, carboxylic acids and chloride ion produced during the reaction process were monitored by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) and ion chromatography (IC). On the basis of these findings, the possible mechanistic steps of CMP degradation were proposed.

Electro-Fenton and photoelectro-Fenton degradations of the drug beta-blocker propranolol using a Pt anode: identification and evolution of oxidation products

The beta-blocker propranolol hydrochloride has been degraded by electrochemical advanced oxidation processes like electro-Fenton (EF) and photoelectro-Fenton (PEF) using a single cell with a Pt anode and an air diffusion cathode (ADE) for H(2)O(2) electrogeneration and a combined system containing the above Pt/ADE pair coupled in parallel to a Pt/carbon-felt (CF) cell. Organics are mainly oxidized with hydroxyl radical (OH) formed from Fenton's reaction between added Fe(2+) and electrogenerated H(2)O(2). The PEF treatment in Pt/ADE-Pt/CF system yields almost total mineralization because OH production is enhanced by Fe(2+) regeneration from Fe(3+) reduction at the CF cathode and Fe(III) complexes with generated carboxylic acids are rapidly photodecarboxylated under UVA irradiation. Lower mineralization degree is found for PEF in Pt/ADE cell due to the little influence of UVA light on Fe(2+) regeneration. The homologous EF processes are much less potent as a result of the persistence of Fe(III)-carboxylate complexes. Aromatic intermediates such as 1-naphthol, 1,4-naphthoquinone and phthalic acid and generated carboxylic acids such as pyruvic, glycolic, malonic, maleic, oxamic, oxalic and formic are identified. While chloride ion remains stable, NH(4)(+) and NO(3)(-) ions are released to the medium. A reaction sequence for propranolol hydrochloride mineralization is proposed.

Mineralization of Acid Yellow 36 azo dye by electro-Fenton and solar photoelectro-Fenton processes with a boron-doped diamond anode

The degradation of the Acid Yellow 36 (AY36) azo dye is studied by electro-Fenton (EF) and solar photoelectro-Fenton (SPEF) using a recirculation flow plant with an undivided cell containing a boron-doped diamond anode and an air-diffusion cathode for H₂O₂ electrogeneration, coupled with a solar photoreactor. A solution of 2.5L with 108 mg L⁻¹ of the dye and 0.5 mM Fe²(+) at pH 3.0 was comparatively treated at constant current. Hydroxyl radicals formed from Fenton's reaction and at the anode surface are the main oxidants. Total mineralization is almost achieved in SPEF, while EF yields poor TOC removal. Both processes are accelerated with increasing current. AY36 decays with similar rate in EF and SPEF following a pseudo first-order reaction, but the solution is more slowly decolorized because of the formation of conjugated byproducts. NH₄(+) ion is released in SPEF, while NO₃⁻ ion is mainly lost in EF. Tartronic, maleic, fumaric, oxalic, formic and oxamic acids are detected as generated carboxylic acids. Fe(III)-oxalate complexes are largely accumulated in EF and their quick photodecomposition in SPEF explains its higher oxidation power. The SPEF method yields greater current efficiency and lower energy cost as current decreases, and then it is more viable at low currents.

Oxidation of 2,6-dimethylaniline by the Fenton, electro-Fenton and photoelectro-Fenton processes

Fenton technologies for wastewater treatment have demonstrated their effectiveness in eliminating toxic compounds. This study examines how hydrogen peroxide concentration and ultraviolet (UV) light affects oxidation processes. However, total mineralization through these Fenton technologies is expensive compared with biological technologies. Therefore, partial chemical oxidation of toxic wastewaters with Fenton processes followed by biological units may increase the application range of Fenton technologies. Using 2,6-dimethylaniline (2,6-DMA) as the target compound, this study also investigates oxidation intermediates and their biodegradable efficiencies after treatment by Fenton, electro-Fenton and photoelectron-Fenton processes. Analytical results show that the UV light-promoting efficiency, r(PE-F)/r(E-F), was 2.02, 2.55 and 2.67 with initial hydrogen peroxide concentrations of 15, 20 and 25 mM, respectively. We conclude that UV irradiation promoted 2,6-DMA degradation significantly. The same tendency was observed for biochemical oxygen demand/total organic carbon (BOD(5)/TOC) ratios for each process, meaning that 2,6-DMA can be successfully detoxified using the electro-Fenton and photoelectro-Fenton processes. Some organic intermediates aminobenzene, nitrobenzene, 2,6-dimethylphenol, phenol and oxalic acid--were detected in different oxidation processes.

Effect of hydrogen peroxide on aniline oxidation by electro-Fenton and fluidized-bed Fenton processes

In this study, the electro-Fenton and fluidized-bed Fenton processes under the given conditions were used to oxidize aniline. Factors such as feeding mode and concentration of the hydrogen peroxide were explored. Results showed that the feeding mode of H(2)O(2) did not significantly affect the aniline oxidation in the electro-Fenton process. However, the aniline oxidation slightly decreased with the two-step addition of H(2)O(2) in the fluidized-bed Fenton process. Presumably the decline of remaining Fe(2+) led to destitute hydrogen radicals from the Fe(2+)-catalyzed H(2)O(2). In addition, the removal efficiency of aniline was maintained at a maximum as H(2)O(2) concentration was higher than 0.04 M in the electro-Fenton process. Meanwhile, the almost exhausted H(2)O(2) would increase the amount of Fe(2+) in the solution for the electro-Fenton process. This is because the Fe(2+) is regenerated through the reduction of Fe(3+) on the cathode. The electro-Fenton process has a stronger oxidative ability with regard to the production of the oxalic acid than fluidized-bed Fenton process which was attributed to a higher consumption of H(2)O(2). Therefore, in the aspect of H(2)O(2) depletion, the mineralization efficiency of the fluidized-bed Fenton process was higher than that of the electro-Fenton process.

Highly efficient and mild electrochemical incineration: mechanism and kinetic process of refractory aromatic hydrocarbon pollutants on superhydrophobic PbO₂ anode

Aqueous aromatic hydrocarbons are chemically stable, high toxic refractory pollutants that can only be oxidized to phenols and quinone on either Pt or traditional PbO(2) electrodes. In this study, a novel method for the electrochemical incineration of benzene homologues on superhydrophobic PbO(2) electrode (hydrophobic-PbO(2)) was proposed under mild conditions. Hydrophobic-PbO(2) can achieve the complete mineralization of aromatic hydrocarbons and exhibit high removal effect, rapid oxidation rate, and low energy consumption. The kinetics of the electrochemical incineration was also investigated, and the results revealed that the cleavage of the benzene ring is a key factor affecting the incineration efficiency. Moreover, on hydrophobic-PbO(2), the decay of intermediates was rapid, and low concentrations of aromatics were accumulated during the reaction. The removal of the initial pollutants and the effects of oxidative cleavage were related to the number of methyl groups on the benzene ring. Specifically, the results of physical experiments and quantum calculations revealed that the charge density of carbon atoms increases with an increase in the number of methyl groups, which promotes the electrophilic attack of ·OH.

Effect of alkali cations on heterogeneous photo-Fenton process mediated by Prussian blue colloids

This article evaluates Prussian blue (iron hexacyanoferrate) colloids as a heterogeneous photo-Fenton catalyst for the degradation of Rhodamine B. The emphasis is laid on the effects of alkali metal cations on the photo-Fenton process. The facts show that alkali cations strongly affect the degradation rate of organic species. The degradation rates of Rhodamine B, Malachite Green, and Methyl Orange in the presence of KCl, KNO(3), and K(2)SO(4), respectively, are faster than their degradation rates in the presence of the corresponding sodium salts. The average degradation rates of Rhodamine B in 0.2 M KCl, NaCl, RbCl, and CsCl solution, decline in sequence, and the rate in KCl solution is greater than that without any salt added deliberately. Thus, potassium ions accelerate the degradation rate, but sodium, rubidium, and cesium ions slow the rate. The order of the rates is R(K)>R>R(Na)>R(Rb)>R(Cs), which is consistent with that of the voltammetric oxidation currents of Prussian blue in the corresponding cation solutions. This phenomenon is attributed to the molecular recognition of the microstructure in Prussian blue nanoparticles to the alkali cations. The reaction mechanism of the photo-Fenton process has also been explored.

Electrochemical abatement of the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole from water

The electrochemical abatement of the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole (SMX) from aqueous solutions at pH 3.0 has been carried out by anodic oxidation and electro-Fenton (EF) processes with H(2)O(2) electrogeneration. The electrolyses have been performed using a small, undivided cell equipped with a Pt or thin film boron-doped diamond (BDD) anode and a carbon-felt cathode. The higher performance of the EF process with 0.2mM Fe(2+) in a BDD/carbon felt cell is demonstrated. This is due to the higher production of ()OH radicals, as well as to the simultaneous degradation at the anode surface and in the bulk solution. At low current, the oxidation at the anode was predominant; at high current, SMX was pre-eminently degraded in the bulk. SMX was quickly destroyed under all the conditions tested, following pseudo first-order kinetics; however, the almost total removal of the total organic carbon was only achieved in the BDD/carbon felt cell. The reaction by-products were quantified by chromatographic techniques and thus, the reaction pathway for the mineralization of SMX by EF has been elucidated. Hydroxylation of SMX on the sulfanilic ring is suggested as the first step, followed by the formation of p-benzoquinone and 3-amino-5-methylisoxazole. Their oxidative cleavage led to the formation of five carboxylic acids that were finally mineralized to CO(2); the release of NH(4)(+), NO(3)(-), and SO(4)(2-) accounted for almost 100% of the initial nitrogen and sulfur content. The absolute rate constants for the oxidative degradation of SMX and the detected aromatic by-products have also been determined.