Electrochemical Degradation of Chlorsulfuron Herbicide from Water Solution Using Ti/IrO<sub>2</sub>-Pt Anode

Chlorsulfuron (ChS) which is a nonbiodegradable herbicide was effectively removed using an electrochemical method at the Ti/IrO2-Pt anode. The influences of current density, initial ChS concentration, initial solution pH and different NaCl dosages on electrochemical degradation of ChS were investigated. HOCl formed during electrolysis and quickly generated .OH radicals would likely play an important role in the electrochemical degradation of ChS with the presence of NaCl. At current density of 20 mA?cm–2, ChS concentration decreased from 1 mg.L–1 to 0 mg.L–1 after 10 min electrolysis with 0.2 g?L–1 NaCl dosage. It was found that the ChS removal rate increased with increasing current density and the ChS degradation was similar at different initial pH values, which means that Ti/IrO2-Pt anode can be used in a wide pH range. The electrochemical performance of Ti/IrO2-Pt anode for degradation of ChS will not decrease after serviced for a long time. These results reveal that an electrochemical approach would be a novel treatment method for effective and rapid degradation of ChS herbicide from aqueous solution.