Self-catalytic degradation of ortho-chlorophenol with Fenton's reagent studied by chemiluminescence

The degradation of ortho-chlorophenol using Fenton's reagent was studied by chemiluminescence (CL). Without a special CL reagent, a weak CL emission from the mixture of ferrous ion and hydrogen peroxide was observed at room temperature. The CL intensity was increased by the addition of ortho-chlorophenol into the mixed solution. When the temperature was raised to 65℃, the CL intensity was enhanced strongly. The CL mechanisms for the system H₂O₂-Fe²⁺ with and without ortho-chlorophenol were studied by examining the CL spectrum, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and electron spin resonance spectrum. The effects of various free radical scavengers, surfactants and fluorescence compounds on the CL intensity were also investigated. A self-catalytic oxidation mechanism was proposed. The results showed that singlet oxygen was the main emitter for the system H₂O₂-Fe²⁺. The strong CL from the system H₂O₂-Fe²⁺-ortho-chlorophenol was due to singlet oxygen and electronically excited quinone. The benzenediol-like intermediate product formed during the phenol oxidation process greatly promoted the Fenton's reaction and led to higher CL intensity. Chemiluninescence is a novel approach for the investigation of the oxidation of some organic pollutants by Fenton's reagent.     

Woodchip-mixing porous mortar’s adsorption of cesium in aqueous media

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - The radioactive cesium (radio-Cs) released following the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident was unevenly distributed in soil, sediment,...