Aqueous 4-nitrophenol decomposition and hydrogen peroxide formation induced by contact glow discharge electrolysis

Liquid-phase decomposition of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) and formation of hydrogen peroxide (H 2O 2) induced by contact glow discharge electrolysis (CGDE) were investigated. Experimental results showed that the decays of 4-NP and total organic carbon (TOC) obeyed the first-order and pseudo-first-order reaction kinetics, respectively. The major intermediate products were 4-nitrocatechol, hydroquinone, benzoquinone, hydroxyhydroquinone, organic acids and nitrite ion. The final products were carbon dioxide and nitrate ion. The initial formation rate of H 2O 2 decreased linearly with increasing initial concentration of 4-NP. Addition of iron ions, especially ferric ion, to the solution significantly enhanced the 4-NP removal due to the additional hydroxyl radical formation through Fenton's reaction. A reaction pathway is proposed based on the degradation kinetics and the distribution of intermediate products.