Fenton's Reagent Degradation of 2,4-Dinitrotoluene in Water–Acetone Mixtures

Abstract

This article presents laboratory studies using Fenton's reagent (Fe⁺² + H₂O₂) to degrade 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT) in water-acetone mixtures representative of contaminated soil extract solutions. Specifically, DNT degradation and kinetics as a function of Fenton's reagent dosage and variable acetone concentration (0-15.5 M) were examined. DNT degradation was successful (>98%) in water only, but was significantly impacted by acetone. At acetone concentrations greater than 3 M, the maximum DNT degradation was 20%. Greater than 65% DNT degradation, however, was measured at acetone concentrations less than or equal to 1.38 M. The presence of acetone also reduced DNT degradation kinetics. DNT degradation behavior in the presence of acetone suggests acetone is a significant hydroxyl radical scavenger; however, it may also contribute to DNT removal, possibly through secondary reactions involving acetone degradation products and oxygen. Comparison of model and experimental results show that DNT degradation is as much as 38% greater than predicted by direct reaction with hydroxyl radical alone.