Phenol degradation by a nonpulsed diaphragm glow discharge in an aqueous solution

In the present study, a nonpulsed direct current diaphragm glow discharge process was developed for the first time for phenol degradation in an aqueous solution. The discharge was generated in a small hole in a dielectric diaphragm interposed between two submersed graphite electrodes. The experimental results revealed that supplied voltage, initial pH, iron salts, and radical scavengers impact the phenol degradation significantly. Enhancing the applied voltage, lowering the solution pH, and adding appropriate amounts of Fe2+ or Fe3+ to the solution were found to be favorable for phenol degradation. Carbonate ions or n-butanol in the solution can decelerate the phenol removal. When the treatment time is increased, the pH value of the solution decreased, leading to an increase in the phenol decomposition. It was revealed by high performance liquid chromatography and ionic chromatography that the main intermediates of phenol decomposition are hydroquinone, pyrocatechol, p-benzoquinone and organic acids. In comparison with the high-voltage Corona discharge plasma in distilled water, this process offers simple technology, higher energy efficiency, easier scaleup, and easier applicability to salt-containing wastewater with no electrode erosion and electromagnetic radiation.