Electrooxidative Removal of Organophosphates - A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Approach

Abstract

Electrochemical oxidation is in general considered to be among the best methods for removing organic pesticides from wastewater. The oxidation of organophosphates induces the formation of a great number of various more or less toxic short-time living intermediates and finally leads to their complete degradation. This chapter presents an overview of the literature data concerning the electrochemical oxidation of several widely used organophosphate pesticides (malathion, diazinon, chlorpyrifos, dimethoate, methyl parathion). The influence of the electrode materials on selected organophosphates, the choice of an appropriate electrode, supporting electrolyte, and knowing the electrolysis parameters such as current density, temperature, oxidation rate, were elucidated. The theoretical calculation enabled us to identify the phenomena engaged near the electrode and to completely determine the structures of the products of electrochemical oxidation formed during the degradation. The comparison of the results relating to the various electrodes indicates that these materials have the power to reduce the quantity of the organic matter in the electrolyzed solution. © 2022 Nova Science Publishers, Inc.