Degradation of 2,7-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin by Fe3+–H2O2 mixed reagent

Fe3+–H2O2 mixed reagent, but not Fe2+–H2O2, was found to be capable of degrading 2,7-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (DCDD). A reaction mixture of FeCl3 (8 mM) and H2O2 (1%) caused ≈50% degradation within 6 h and >90% degradation within 24 h at 27 °C. Increasing the temperature remarkably stimulated degradation: at 70 °C, ≈100% degradation was achieved within 15 min. When DCDD-treated model soil (5 μg/g) was conducted, ≈100% of the DCDD was degraded within 30 min at 70 °C (both reagents were added every 10 min). These results suggest that Fe3+–H2O2 mixed reagent may be a new tool for combating persistent environmental pollutants such as dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls.