Electrocatalytic Dechlorination of Atrazine Using Binuclear Iron Phthalocyanine as Electrocatalysts

The electrochemical reduction approach has been suggested as a promising method for detoxification of chlorine-containing aromatic hydrocarbons. In this study, the electrocatalytic dechlorination of atrazine was studied by using a non-noble catalyst, binuclear iron phthalocyanine coated onto multi-walled carbon nanotubes (bi-FePc/MWNT). Both experimental and theoretical results indicate that dechlorination of atrazine occurs rapidly on bi-FePc/MWNT electrode. The reaction depends on the adsorption of the chlorinated organic compound on the electrode surface and the reaction rate with hydroxy. By liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometer technique, the dechlorination product of atrazine can be assigned to 2-hydroxy-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-1,3,5-triazine, which could be disposed by more convenient and economic biodegradation method.