Switching effects of electrode polarity and introduction direction of reagents in electrokinetic-Fenton process with anionic surfactant for remediating iron-rich soil contaminated with phenanthrene

Electrochemical degradation of ibuprofen-contaminated soils over Fe/Al oxidation electrodes

Ibuprofen (IBP) is one of the most known non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Due to the high consumption and the several ways of discharge, both the aquifer and soil matrix were contaminated by IBP. This study examined the degradation of the IBP in a soil matrix over Fe/Al oxidation electrodes in an electrokinetic system with processing fluids of sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS). The preparation of the Fe/Al oxidation electrode was carried out at a calcination temperature of 500, 550, and 600 °C, which accounted for Fe³⁺ coating rate of 3.89 ± 0.03%, 4.62 ± 0.04%, and 4.72 ± 0.04%, respectively. Results indicated the generation of hydroxyl radical was proportional to the coating rate of Fe³⁺ on the electrode. A 200 mg kg^-1 of IBP-spiked soil sample was conducted in an electrokinetic system under a potential gradient of 2 V cm^-1. The experimental parameters included electrode area of 11-33 cm² and treatment time of 5-9 days. The remediation efficiency of IBP in the EK systems coupled with Fe/Al oxidation electrode was 70.1-94.6%, which was highly dependent on H₂O₂ addition, electrode area, and treatment time. Both addition of H₂O₂ and prolonging treatment time significantly enhanced the degradation of IBP. Whereas increasing electrode area was only favorable for removal mechanism of IBP. Five reaction mechanisms were clearly provided in this study. The aluminum plays an electron donner to trigger Fenton-like reaction continuously to produce hydroxyl radicals. This study confirmed that the electrokinetic process coupled with Fe/Al oxidation electrodes is a viable technique for the remediation of IBP-contaminated soil. Make good use of redox characteristic of aluminum to trigger the Fenton-like reaction in Fe²⁺-rich environment is a great success in this study. The use of Fe/Al electrodes effectively expands the application of electrochemical degradation in soil remediation.

Role of sol with iron oxyhydroxide/sodium dodecyl sulfate composites on Fenton oxidation of sorbed phenanthrene in sand

In situ Fenton oxidation has been recently used to oxidize sorbed organic contaminants in soil. The objective of present contribution was to study the role of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as anionic surfactant and sol with iron oxyhydroxide/SDS for Fenton oxidation of sorbed phenanthrene in sand. The most effective experimental condition for phenanthrene oxidation was the Fenton-like reaction system with 0.35% H2O2, 30 mM SDS, and 4 mM FeCl2. The Fenton-like reactions under these experimental conditions resulted in the production and sustenance of a stable sol with iron oxyhydroxide/SDS composites over 24 h. The formation of iron oxyhydroxide/SDS composites resulted in stabilization of H2O2, and then the Fenton-like reactions were sustained over 24 h. Furthermore, the sol of iron oxyhydroxide/SDS composites gave suitable sites to sustain oxidations of dissolved phenanthrene over a prolonged reaction span, which is required for in situ chemical oxidation.