The removal of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) in aqueous solution by coupled electro-oxidation and Fe(II) activated persulfate oxidation process was investigated. The electrochemical oxidation was performed using carbon sheet electrode and persulfate using Fe(II) ion as an activator. The oxidation efficiency was investigated by varying current density (2 - 10 mA/cm²), electrolyte (Na₂SO₄) concentration (10 - 100 mM), persulfate concentration (5 - 20 mM), and Fe(II) concentration (10 -20 mM). The 2,4-D removal efficiency was in the order of Fe(II) activated persulfate-assisted electrochemical oxidation (Fe(II)/PS/ECO, 91%) > persulfate-electrochemical oxidation (PS/ECO, 51%) > electro-oxidation (EO, 36%). The persulfate can be activated by electron transfer in PS/ECO system, however, the addition of Fe(II) as an activator enhanced 2,4-D degradation in the Fe(II)/PS/ECO system. The 2,4-D removal efficiency was not affected by the initial pHs (3 - 9). The presence of anions (Cl^- and HCO₃^-) inhibited the 2,4-D removal in Fe(II)/PS/ECO system due to scavenging of sulfate radical. Scavenger experiment using tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) and methanol (MeOH) confirmed that although both sulfate (SO₄^•−) and hydroxyl (^•OH) radicals existed in Fe(II)/PS/ECO system, hydroxyl radical (SO₄^•−) was the predominant radical.

Keywords: 2,4-D, Electrochemical oxidation, Ferrous, Herbcide, Persulfate