Iron electrocoagulation (Fe EC) is
normally considered as a separation
process. Here, we found that Fe(II)–O2 interactions
in Fe EC systems could produce reactive oxidants, mainly hydroxyl
radicals (•OH), for refractory organic contaminant transformation.
Production of reactive oxidants, probed by benzoate conversion to p-hydroxybenzoic acid (p-HBA), depended
on dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration and Fe(II) speciation. Measurable
levels of DO were required for significant p-HBA
production. Fe precipitates evolved from lepidocrocite to magnetite
when DO decreased to below the detection limit. Both experiments and
kinetic modeling suggest that the main Fe(II) species contributing
to reactive oxidants (mainly •OH) production changed from aqueous
Fe(II) initially to lepidocrocite-sorbed Fe(II) with progressive precipitates
formation. When DO was not measurable at high currents (≥50
mA or 100 mA/L), reactive oxidant production was ineffective because
of pH rise and Fe(II) preservation in magnetite, but it could be enhanced
drastically by aeration. The reactive oxidants produced at 30 mA (or
60 mA/L) could degrade about 47% of 10 μM aniline and 34% of
sulfanilamide within 6 h of Fe EC treatment. Our findings highlight
the importance of reactive oxidants for refractory organic contaminants
oxidation in Fe EC systems.