Insights into the mechanism of persulfate activated by rice straw biochar for the degradation of aniline. (June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wu, Yao; Guo, Jing; Han, Yijie; Zhu, Junyi; Zhou, Lixiang; Lan, Yeqing
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 200(2018)
• Page Start: 373
• Page End: 379
• Publication Date: 2018-06
• Subjects: Rice straw biochar -- Persulfate -- Degradation -- Mechanism -- Holes; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.02.110
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: This study investigated the degradation of aniline by persulfate (PS) activated with rice straw biochar (RSBC). The results demonstrate that aniline could be rapidly decomposed by a combination of PS and RSBC. The degradation efficiency of aniline was up to 94.1% within 80 min, and meanwhile 52% of the total organic carbon was removed. In the initial pH range of 3–9, aniline could be efficiently removed. Reactive species resulting in the rapid degradation of aniline were investigated via radical and hole quenching experiments with various scavengers (e.g., methanol, tert -butyl alcohol and EDTA) and electron paramagnetic resonance technique. Based on the analysis and observation made here, it is speculated that the predominant reactive species responsible for the degradation of aniline may be holes instead of SO4 − and OH radicals. It is concluded that RSBC could be used as an effective catalyst to activate PS for the degradation of aniline. Highlights: Aniline could be rapidly decomposed by a combination of persulfate and rice straw biochar (RSBC). Predominant reactive species responsible for the degradation of aniline may be holes rather than SO4 − . Aniline could be efficiently removed in an initial pH range of 3–9. RSBC served as an effective catalyst to activate PS is a potential approach to the degradation of aniline.