Degradation of aqueous 3,4-dichloroaniline by a novel dielectric barrier discharge plasma reactor

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2015 Mar;22(6):4447-59. doi: 10.1007/s11356-014-3690-1. Epub 2014 Oct 15.

Abstract

Degradation of aqueous 3,4-dichloroaniline (3,4-DCA) was conducted in a novel dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma reactor. The factors affecting the degradation efficiency of 3,4-DCA and the degradation mechanism of 3,4-DCA were investigated. The experimental results indicated that the degradation efficiency of 3,4-DCA increased with increasing input power intensity, and the degradation of 3,4-DCA by the novel DBD plasma reactor fitted pseudo-first-order kinetics. Higher degradation efficiency of 3,4-DCA was observed in acidic conditions. The degradation efficiency of 3,4-DCA, the removal rate of total organic carbon (TOC), and the detected Cl(-) increased dramatically with adding Fe(2+) or Fe(3+). Degradation of 3,4-DCA could be accelerated or inhibited in the presence of H2O2 depending on the dosage. Several degradation intermediates of 3,4-DCA such as 1,2-dichlorobenzene, 2-chloro-1,4-benzoquinone, 3,4-dichlorophenyl isocyanate, 2-chlorohydroquinone, 3,4-dichloronitrobenzene, and 3,4-dichlorophenol were identified by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Based on the identification of aromatic intermediates, acetic acid, formic acid, oxalic acid, and Cl(-) released, a possible mineralization pathway of 3,4-DCA was proposed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetic Acid / analysis
  • Aniline Compounds / chemistry*
  • Benzoquinones / analysis
  • Chlorobenzenes / analysis
  • Chlorophenols / analysis
  • Electrochemical Techniques / methods*
  • Formates / analysis
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / chemistry
  • Models, Chemical*
  • Oxalates / analysis
  • Plasma Gases
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis*
  • Water Purification / methods*

Substances

  • Aniline Compounds
  • Benzoquinones
  • Chlorobenzenes
  • Chlorophenols
  • Formates
  • Oxalates
  • Plasma Gases
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • 3,4-dichlorophenol
  • formic acid
  • 3,4-dichloroaniline
  • 2-chloro-1,4-benzoquinone
  • 2-dichlorobenzene
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Acetic Acid