Enhanced degradation of carbon tetrachloride by sodium percarbonate activated with ferrous ion in the presence of ethyl alcohol

In this study, the degradation performance of carbon tetrachloride (CT) by sodium percarbonate (SPC) activated with Fe(II) in the presence of ethyl alcohol (EA) was investigated. The experimental results showed that CT could be readily degraded and the optimal EA/Fe(II)/SPC/CT molar ratio for CT reduction was 100/50/20/1. Superoxide radical anion () and hydroxyethyl radical ((CHCH3OH)-C-center dot, HER) were the predominant radical species responsible for CT degradation and EA could regulate the generation of and HER in the system. Further investigation for the solution matrix effects suggested that Cl-, , , and humic acid had negligible influences on CT degradation, while had negative effect in EA/Fe(II)/SPC system. On the other hand, the application of SPC/Fe(II)/EA technique is favorable to acidic condition is effective at a wide pH range of 3.0-7.0. In summary, CT degradation in Fe(II)-activated SPC system can be significantly promoted by addition of solvents, and these findings provide an innovative technology for the degradation of highly oxidized organic contaminants.