Degradation of pCNB by Fenton like process using α-FeOOH

A heterogeneous Fenton-like process was studied using synthesised goethite (α-FeOOH) and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) to degrade p -chloronitrobenzene ( p CNB) in water. The effect on the treatment efficiency of the initial pH, the dosage of hydrogen peroxide and goethite and the presence of humic acid and bicarbonate were quantified. At the optimal conditions (pH = 6.0, H 2 O 2 = 6.6 mg/L, and goethite = 333 mg/L), over 80% of p CNB was removed within 30 min. Humic acid and bicarbonate were found to inhibit the p CNB degradation, probably because they compete with p CNB for the OH produced. Intermediate oxidation products were identified, and a p CNB oxidation pathway is proposed. The findings demonstrate that α-FeOOH combined with H 2 O 2 has potential as an advanced oxidation process for water pollution control.