Abstract
Alkylphenols from agricultural, industrial and domestic wastes cause serious problems as an endocrine disrupter. Degradation characteristics of alkylphenols, n-octylphenol (n-OP), t-octylphenol (t-OP) and n-nonylphenol (n-NP) were examined using electrochemical treatment. We initially investigated the electrochemical behavior of alkylphenols by cyclic voltammetry. The oxidation potentials of n-OP, t-OP and n-NP were similar. As a result of electrochemical treatment, degradation were identified in each material by radicals composed mostly of the OH radical which occurred by electrolysis of water. Even though there was not so significant difference in oxidation potential of the materials, distinctive difference was recognized, owing to the influence of a structure difference. It became clear that the oxidation treatment of t-OP was difficult because it possessed branch structure in comparison with n-OP and n-NP with linear structure. Therefore, it is important to examine a condition of electrochemical treatment in consideration with the structure of organic substance, even if the oxidation potentials are similar.
