Heterogeneous electro-Fenton oxidation of p-nitrophenol with a reusable fluffy clump steel wire

Abstract

AbstractA heterogeneous electro-Fenton system with fluffy clump steel wire (FCSW) was described for the degradation of p-nitrophenol (p-NP) in water. The influences of the initial pH, initial concentration of FCSW, applied current density on the p-NP, and total organic carbon (TOC) removal percentages were investigated. Compared with the homogeneous electro-Fenton process, the presence of the FCSW catalyst significantly improved the degradation efficiency, the p-NP removal percentages could reach 94.31% after 60 min under the appropriate operating conditions that initial pH value of 3.0, initial FCSW concentration of 3.0 g/L, current density of 3.0 mA/cm2, and the TOC removal percentages could reach 78.96% after 180 min. Aromatic intermediates and carboxylic acids had been identified by chromatographic techniques, and a plausible reaction pathway for p-NP mineralization by heterogeneous electro-Fenton process with FCSW was proposed. The catalytic reusability of FCSW was ultimately evaluated for the repeat...