Destruction of 4-phenolsulfonic acid in water by anodic contact glow discharge electrolysis

• Published in: Journal of environmental sciences (China) Vol. 25; no. 6; pp. 1063 - 1070
• Main Authors: Yang, Haiming, An, Baigang, Wang, Shaoyan, Li, Lixiang, Jin, Wenjie, Li, Lihua
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.06.2013
• Subjects: 4-phenolsulfonic acid; Anodic; behavior; Benzenesulfonates - chemistry; Benzoquinones - chemistry; Byproducts; carbon; Contact; contact glow discharge electrolysis; Degradation; Destruction; Electrolysis; Electrolysis - methods; Fenton reaction; first-order rate law; free radicals; Freshwater; Glow discharges; hydrogen; Hydroquinones - chemistry; ions; Iron; phenol; Water - chemistry; 动力学行为; 接触辉光放电; 电解水; 磺酸基; 苯酚; 辉光放电等离子体; 销毁; 阳极; 4-phenolsulfonic acid; Fenton reaction; contact glow discharge electrolysis; first-order rate law; destruction
• ISSN: 1001-0742; 1878-7320
• DOI: 10.1016/S1001-0742(12)60131-4

Destruction of 4-phenolsulfonic acid (4-PSA) in water was carried out using anodic contact glow discharge electrolysis. Accompanying the decay of 4-PSA, the amount of total organic carbon (TOC) in water correspondingly decreased, while the sulfonate group of 4-PSA was released as sulfate ion. Oxalate and formate were obtained as minor by-products. Additionally, phenol, 1,4-hydroquinone, hydroxyquinol and 1,4-benzoquinone were detected as primary intermediates in the initial stages of decomposition of 4-PSA. A reaction pathway involving successive attacks of hydroxyl and hydrogen radicals was assumed on the basis of the observed products and kinetics. It was revealed that the decay of both 4-PSA and TOC obeyed a first-order rate law. The effects of different Fe ions and initial concentrations of 4-PSA on the degradation rate were investigated. It was found that the presence of Fe ions could increase the degradation rate of 4-PSA, while initial concentrations lower than 80 mmol/L had no significant effect on kinetic behaviour. The disappearance rate of 4-PSA was significantly affected by pH.