Treatment of nitrobenzene wastewater by electrochemical advanced oxidization

The removal efficiency of nitrobenzene was investigated by electrochemical advanced oxidization using Ti-based dimensionally stable anode(DSA) as electro-catalytic electrode,and the products in anode and cathode were also analyzed by HPLC.The results indicated that nitrobenzene was ultimately oxidized into CO2 and H2O.The intermediate product of p-nitrophenol was observed and no other by-products appeared during the process of electrolysis.The acidity increased continuously in the area of anode and the increase of alkalinity was also detected in the area of cathode during the electrolysis.The removal efficiency in the area of anode was higher than that in the area of cathode.The removal mechanism of nitrobenzene was postulated that nitrobenzene degradation followed the steps as nitrobenzene→p-nitrophenol→phenol→CO2 and H2O due to the action of free radical.