Abstract: Electro-Fenton reactions were used to enhance the degradation of toluene in gas phase corona discharge by aerosol dispersion. The catalysts can remarkably increase the average degradation rate of toluene. The enhancement factors (β) of toluene degradation rate at gas flux = 0.6 m3/h and initial toluene concentration = 900 mg/m3 were 1.29, 1.28, and 1.51, respectively, using 0.05 mol/L of Fe2+, Co2+, and Mn2+Fenton-type reagents at the applied voltage of 23 kV. These three elements possess similar catalytic activity, with Mn2+showing a slightly better result than Co2+and Fe2+. When the catalyst concentration was0.03-0.1mol/L, the enhancement of toluene degradation rate was more obvious. The degradation products of toluene such as phenyl aldehyde, benzoic acid, and fumaric acid were detected in liquid phase samples collected in the catalyst trap chamber. The increase in toluene degradation rate is due to the dissolution of intermediate products in micro-droplets and the occurrence of electro-Fenton reactions in them. The combination of aerosol dispersion and electro-Fenton reactions may have an important application in air pollution treatment.

Key words: aerosol dispersion, corona discharge, toluene, Fenton-type reagent