Sonolytic degradation of butyric acid in aqueous solutions

• The sonication of Butyric Acid (BA) was studied at a high frequency of 850 kHz.
• As the ultrasonic power increased the initial degradation rate of BA increased.
• A 31.5% degradation of BA could be achieved at 31 W in the presence of 0.34 M H2O2.
• Oxalic, formic, and propionic acids were produced during the sonication of BA.
• The sonication of BA proceeded via the formation of these intermediates.

The sonolytic degradation of butyric acid was investigated in an ultrasonic reactor emitting waves at 850 kHz. The effects of the ultrasonic power, the initial concentration of butyric acid, and the addition of H2O2 were studied on the degradation of butyric acid. In the sonication of butyric acid, degradation degrees as high as 31.5% could be achieved at a power of 31 W, at an initial concentration of 2.8 mM butyric acid with the addition of 0.34 M H2O2 for a sonication time of 5 h. The degradation of butyric acid increased with irradiation time, indicating first order kinetics.