Electrochemical generation of the Fenton's reagent: application to atrazine degradation

The degradation of refractory chemicals in water requires chemical oxidation by hydroxyl radicals. Among the systems that may be used to generate OHdegrees, the Fenton's reagent consists of the mixing of ferrous iron and hydrogen peroxide. Even though this system is very simple, the oxidation of an organic compound is difficult to control and the ferrous iron regeneration is limited. Very recently, electrochemical systems have merged that allow the electrochemical production of ferrous iron and/or hydrogen peroxide, thereby allowing the generation of OHdegrees. So a simple electro-Fenton system has been used and tested for its efficiency in producing hydroxyl radicals. Atrazine was chosen as a model organic compound as its reaction with OHdegrees has been extensively studied. Comparison with the classical Fenton system gives advantage to the electrochemical system, due to a more thorough oxidation of atrazine. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.