The mechanism and characteristics of electrochemical oxidation of 1,4-dichlorobenzen in simulated wastewater were investigated on a platinum electrode.The cyclic voltammetric profiles showed that the oxidation peak potential and current density increased with the increase of the concentration of 1,4-dichlorobenzene,nevertheless,the oxidation potential of 1,4-dichlorobenzene in acetonitrile-aqueous solution was smaller than that in acetonitrile solution.Chronoamperometric experimental results suggested that the 1,4-dichlorobenzene degradation included both direct electro-oxidation of 1,4-dichlorobenzene by loss of electrons and indirect oxidation with anodically formed free radicals.Additionally,parachlorophenol,1,4-benzoquinone,maleic acid,oxalic acid,acetic acid,and formic acid were identified as main electro-oxidation products by ion chromatography or high performance liquid chromatography.Moreover,a yellow polymer film,which influenced the electrochemical oxidation process,was clearly identified as a rough surface after electrochemical reaction in comparison to a smooth and glossy surface of platinum electrodes without polymer film as observed from SEM image.
