Base activation of peroxymonosulfate and its application in 2,4,6-trichlorophenol degradation

This study evaluated the degradation of 2,4,6-TCP in NaOH/PMS system. The reaction kinetic of 2,4,6-TCP was related to the initial concentration of NaOH and PMS. When the concentration of NaOH varied from 8 to 40 mM, the highest degradation rate occurred at a NaOH concentration of 15 mM. High PMS dose increased the degradation rate of 2,4,6-TCP. Due to the competitive reaction of 2,4,6-TCP degradation and reactive species quenching, the initial 2,4,6-TCP concentration had little influence on its degradation. The degradation rate of 2,4,6-TCP exhibited a pseudo-first-order kinetics pattern at all the tested conditions. Furthermore, the reactive oxygen radicals in NaOH/PMS system were elucidated by radical scavenger. The results demonstrated that superoxide radical anion (O-2(center dot-)) was the predominant radical species responsible for 2,4,6-TCP degradation. In conclusion, NaOH activated PMS process is a promising option for the degradation of 2,4,6-TCP.