Abstract: The characteristic and mechanism of parachlorophenol (4-CP)
degradation in an internal electrolysis system were investigated. The
degradation rate of 4-CP was higher in acid solution than that of in neutral or
alkaline solution. Addition of activated carbon could make 4-CP easier be
degraded by the surface contact catalysis. The dissolved oxygen in solution
could take part in the electrode reaction and intensify the degradation of
4-CP. By the analysis of intermediates of degradation of 4-CP, it could be
conferred that 4-CP was broken through the bond beside hydroxy firstly, then the
bond beside chloride was broken and the chloride was dechlorinated
simultaneously. Most intermediate products were glycerine, ethane diacid and
acetic acid, while very few 1,4-butanedial and alcohols were found.