Progress in the Mechanism and Kinetics of Fenton Reaction

Submit Manuscript | http://medcraveonline.com the reaction called the Fenton method [1]. Early research on the Fenton reaction was mainly focused on organic synthesis, enzymatic reactions and the cell damage mechanism [2]. It was noted that in the presence of a catalyst, H2O2 can be efficiently decomposed to generate oxidative active substances with strong oxidizing power, and degrade a variety of organic compounds into CO2, H2O and other small molecules. In 1964, Canadian researcher H.R. Eisenhaner applied it to the degradation of organic matter in wastewater [3], and after that more and more researchers carried out in-depth studies on its use in the degradation of organic pollutants [4-6]. Thus a series type of Fenton reagents was developed, such as light/Fenton reagent [7], ultraviolet-visible light/H2O2/ferric oxalate [8], microwave/Fenton reagent [9], and ultrasound/ Fenton reagent [10]. The mechanism of Fenton reaction and the intermediate species are still under controversial discussion although the Fenton reagent has been researched by many researchers as a powerful oxidant in wastewater treatment, biological systems and natural water. Two different mechanisms, namely radical and non-radical mechanism have been developed from last century. The first and most popular theory, known as the Haber-Weiss mechanism involves the formation of • OH radical in the process of H2O2 reduction [11], from the 1930s, the radical mechanism has been questioned by several studies suggesting that the reaction between H2O2 and Fe(II) produces the ferryl ion species, which is the active intermediate species [12]. Hydroxyl Free Radical Mechanism