Oxidation of aqueous organic molecules in gas-phase pulsed corona discharge affected by sodium dodecyl sulphate: Explanation of variability

Abstract Oxidation of waterborne organic compounds by gas-phase pulsed corona discharge (PCD) provides substantial energy efficiency benefits. Surfactant sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) alters the energy efficiency of oxidation providing decelerating, neutral or accelerating effect. Determining the causal connection between the pollutant's molecular structure and the effect of SDS addition presents the research objective. Computational chemistry Spartan 14 1.1.4 software was used for modelling of SDS molecule interaction with selected textile dyes and pharmaceuticals with subsequent verification in PCD treatment experiments. Effects of SDS addition were predicted for acid orange 7, indigotetrasulfonate, paracetamol and indomethacin and confirmed experimentally.