Application of Fered-Fenton process for m-phenylenediamine degradation

Abstract

This study was undertaken to investigate the feasibility of applying the Fered-Fenton process to the degradation of m-phenylenediamine, by examining the effect of varying the initial H₂O₂ and Fe²⁺ concentrations, the initial pH and electric current on the process efficiency. The degradation behavior of m-phenylenediamine was also compared to that of aniline. The Fered-Fenton reactor consists of anodes and cathodes with mesh-type titanium metal coated with IrO₂/RuO₂ and stainless steel, respectively. The experiments showed that m-phenylenediamine was rapidly degraded by the Fered-Fenton process. Initial pH of 3.2 is optimal for the removal of m-phenylenediamine and chemical oxygen demand (COD). m-Phenylenediamine and COD removal efficiencies increased with the increasing electrical current from 0 A to 4 A, and decreased with a further increase in electrical current. Optimum efficiency resulting in 100% degradation of m-phenylenediamine and elimination of 30% of COD was achieved at pH 3.2 at 60 min in the presence of 10 mM of m-phenylenediamine, 0.268 mM of Fe²⁺, 43.6 mM of H₂O₂, and under a current of 4 A.

Keywords:

• Advanced oxidation process
• Fered-Fenton
• m-phenylenediamine
• aniline
• H₂O₂ efficiency

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the National Science Council of Taiwan, for financially supporting this research under Contract No. NSC 99-2221-E-041-012-MY3.