Generation of hydroxyl radicals from reactions between a dimethoxyhydroquinone and iron oxide nanoparticles

The hydroxyl radical (center dot OH) is a powerful oxidant that is produced in a wide range of environments via the Fenton reaction (Fe2+ + H2O2 -> Fe3+ + center dot OH + OH-). The reactants are formed from the reduction of Fe3+ and O-2, which may be promoted by organic reductants, such as hydroquinones. The aim of this study was to investigate the extent of center dot OH formation in reactions between 2,6-dimethoxyhydroquinone (2,6-DMHQ) and iron oxide nanoparticles. We further compared the reactivities of ferrihydrite and goethite and investigated the effects of the O-2 concentration and pH on the generation of center dot OH. The main finding was that the reactions between 2,6-DMHQ and iron oxide nanoparticles generated substantial amounts of center dot OH under certain conditions via parallel reductive dissolution and catalytic oxidation reactions. The presence of O-2 was essential for the catalytic oxidation of 2,6-DMHQ and the generation of H2O2. Moreover, the higher reduction potential of ferrihydrite relative to that of goethite made the former species more susceptible to reductive dissolution, which favored the production of center dot OH. The results highlighted the effects of surface charge and ligand competition on the 2,6-DMHQ oxidation processes and showed that the co-adsorption of anions can promote the generation of center dot OH.