Degradation of diuron by the electro-Fenton process

The degradation of the herbicide diuron has been undertaken by electrochemical advanced oxidation in aqueous solution. This process generates catalytically hydroxyl radicals that are strong oxidizing reagents for the oxidation of organic substances. Hydroxyl radicals degrade diuron in less than 10 min. Kinetic results evidence a pseudo-first-order degradation, with a rate constant of reaction between diuron and hydroxyl radicals of 4.8x10⁹ M^–1 s^–1. Several degradation products were identified by chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The mineralization degree of a 1.7x10^–4 M diuron solution reached 93% at 1,000 coulombs.