Degradation of anionic surfactants using the reactor based on dielectric barrier discharge

Abstract

Two anionic surfactants (sodium lauryl sulfate - SDS and sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate - SDBS) were treated with dielectric barrier discharge. Loss of surfactant activity, decrease of chemical oxygen demand and total organic carbon as well as lower toxicity of degradation products were determined. Effects of catalysts - hydrogen peroxide and iron (II), on parameters mentioned above, were determined. Catalysts affect the degradation of SDBS and in the case of SDS catalysts have no effect on degradation. Both catalysts induce the decrease of COD and TOC values. Toxicity of solutions after the plasma treatment is lower in all the systems tested.