Study of the Degradation of Nitrobenzene on Stainless Steel Cathode

The electrochemical reaction of Nitrobenzene on the surface of stainless steel cathode was studied,with a heterogeneous cation exchange membrane separating the anode and the cathode region.The results showed that on the condition of applied voltage 20 V,nitrobenzene 120 mg·L-1,electrolyte Na2SO4 0.025 mol·L-1 and electrolysis time 2 h,the removal rate of CODCr at the cathode region was 36% in the presence of oxygen.The study of the volatilization and infiltration of Nitrobenzene to anode region showed that Nitrobenzene was degradated in cathode region.The study of the influence of oxygen and the reaction of OH with nitrobenzene showed that the CODCr removal was due to the reaction of H and oxygen producing HO2 and OH and the subsequent reactions in the presence of oxygen,and the reaction of H and nitrobenzene was the main reaction in the absence of oxygen.