Study of the electrochemical stability of the difenoconazole pesticide by cyclic voltammetry and UV-Vis spectrophotometry

Difenoconazole is a triazole fungicide that inhibits the activity of fungi and is widely used to protect fruits, vegetables and grains. Its health and safety issues need to be further studied. In this study, experiments were conducted to investigate the degradation kinetics and electrochemical degradation pathways of difenoconazole to harmless inorganic products using two electrochemical methods; cyclic voltammetry and constant current electrolysis, in association with UV-Vis spectrophotometric analysis. The results of electrochemical tests indicated the participation of difenoconazole pesticide molecules in charge transfer processes with a priori adsorption of its molecules on the surface of the platinum electrode. UV-Vis spectrophotograms of the pesticide solution indicated a decrease in the absorbance value corresponding to difenoconazole during constant current electrolysis processes. The study elaborates on a mechanism for direct electrochemical degradation of pesticide molecules on the platinum electrode surface.