Electrochemical degradation of atrazine on Pt anode with cathodic electro-generation of H2O2

Abstract

This study investigated the degradation of atrazine by anodic oxidation with cathodic eletrogeneration of H2O2 (AO—H2O2). A series of trials were conducted in an undivided cylindrical glass cell using Pt anode and graphite cathode, air was compressed into working solution at atmospheric pressure. The oxidation experiments were carried out to assess the influence of primary parameters (current intensity, air feeding flow rate, cathode—to— anode area ratio and initial organic concentration) on atrazine removal. During all trials performed, the concentration of atrazine declined significantly, and in the best operating parameters found (current intensity 80 mA, air feeding flow rate 0.9 L min-1, cathode—to— anode area ratio 12), 72% of atrazine removal was obtained within 120 min oxidation time. CV tests exhibited that the intensity of anodic peak was strengthened when the working solution is O2—saturated, implying that O2 might play an important role in the anodic oxidation of atrazine.