Electrochemical Oxidation of Sulfonamides with Boron-Doped Diamond and Pt Anodes

Electrochemical oxidation processes usually favored specific degradation pathways depending on anode materials. In this work, a series of sulfonamides (SNs) were degraded by electrochemical oxidation. Compared to Pt anodes (0.1567–0.1795 h⁻¹), degradation rates of SNs were much higher at boron-doped diamond (BDD) anodes (2.4290–13.1950 h⁻¹). However, the same intermediates were detected in the two anode systems. Due to the strong oxidizing ability of BDD anodes, a large amount of intermediates with high toxicities were initially generated and then finally reduced in the BDD anode systems, while the amount of intermediates continuously increased in the Pt anode systems. Additionally, SNs were degraded faster in Na₂SO₄ than NaH₂PO₄ electrolytes at BDD anodes, while they were similar at Pt anodes. This study demonstrated that the degradation pathways of SNs at BDD and Pt anodes were similar, but the evolutions of intermediate amounts and toxicities were different due to their varied oxidizing abilities.     

Influencing factors of venlafaxine degradation at boron-doped diamond anode

Degradation of the antidepressant venlafaxine by an effective electrocatalytic process, boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrode, was study. The BDD electrode was selected as the anode, and the degradation efficiency of venlafaxine under different influencing factors was systematically investigated. The preliminary grasp of the degradation law of venlafaxine by anodic electro-degradation using BDD electrode was obtained. The experimental results showed that the electrochemical oxidation technology using BDD anode can effectively degrade venlafaxine and remove total organic carbon (TOC) from the solution, complete venlafaxine degradation and TOC elimination could be achieved within 30 and 120 min of BDD oxidation process, respectively, and it has good stability and reusability. Increasing the electrolyte concentration (≤0.1 mol/L) and current density (≤100 mA/cm²) within a certain range could accelerate the degradation of venlafaxine. HCO₃^– and PO₄^3? could inhibit the degradation efficiency of venlafaxine through of competing for free radicals. It is interesting that the presence of Cl^? significantly promoted the degradation efficiency of venlafaxine. The results of this study suggest that the Electro-degradation treatment may provide a promising way to treat venlafaxine contaminated water.     

Embedding wasted hairs in Ti/PbO2 anode for efficient and sustainable electrochemical oxidation of organic wastewater

Despite of the hazardous risk of Pb²⁺leakage,lead dioxide has been attributed as a quasi-ideal anode material with high oxygen evolution potential,excellent conductivity,good stability and low cost in electrochemical oxidation wastewater treatment technique.In this study,a novel Ti/PbO₂ anode was fabricated by embedding raw materials that are readily and cheaply available,i.e.,hairs.The structure-activity relationship of the new electrode was firstly revealed by material an...     

Electrochemical generation of ozone at PbO2-loaded platinum screens

Ozone (O₃) has been electrochemically generated on PbO₂-loaded Pt screens (PbO₂/Pts) at 25 °C from H₂SO₄ solutions. The PbO₂/Pts electrodes were electrochemically and morphologically characterized by cyclic voltammetry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. Different loadings of PbO₂ and different acid concentrations (C _acid) were used in this study. Higher efficiency (8%) for O₃ electrogeneration was obtained at an applied potential of 1.8 V, higher C _acid, and loading density of PbO₂ ≥ 9.3 μmol cm⁻² (of Pt screen) at room temperature. The stability of the prepared electrode was examined under the present experimental conditions. SEM images and current transients showed reasonable electrochemical and mechanical stability of the PbO₂/Pts. The data were discussed in the light of results obtained on planar Pt electrode at similar conditions.     

Study on the electrocatalytic degradation of 4-chlorophenol on PbO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> composite electrode and its electrochemical property

PbO₂–ZrO₂ composite electrodes were prepared by anodic electrodeposition in the lead nitrate solution. The electrochemical property of this electrode was studied by cyclic voltammetry, polarization curves and open-circuit potential–time curves. The results show that PbO₂–ZrO₂ composite electrodes possess higher oxygen evolution overpotential and better anti-corrosion performance than traditional PbO₂ electrodes. Electrocatalytic oxidation of 4-chlorophenol (4-CPs) in aqueous solution was studied to evaluate the applications of this electrode in environmental protection. The influence of experimental parameters on the COD removal efficiency was studied on PbO₂–ZrO₂ composite electrodes as a function of the current density, initial concentration of the 4-CPs, initial pH, supporting electrolyte concentration and electrolysis time. The results show that the 4-CPs removal efficiency in 0.1 mol L^–1 Na₂SO₄ solution containing 8 mmol L^–1 4-CPs could reach 89.2% with the current density at 200 mA cm^–2 and pH value at 6.5 after 4 h. Compared with traditional PbO₂ anodes, the PbO₂–ZrO₂ composite electrodes show higher instantaneous current efficiency with degradation of 4-CPs. The experimental results demonstrate that the PbO₂–ZrO₂ composite electrodes possess the excellent electrocatalytic activity in refractory pollutants degradation.     

Traitement électrochimique d' eaux usées chargées de phénol : étude comparative sur des électrodes de dioxyde de plomb et de platine

Electrochemical treatment of waste water containing phenol: a comparative study on lead dioxide and platinum electrodes. The objective of this work was to study the efficiency of the Pb/PbO₂ electrode for decomposing the molecule of phenol, then to compare it to a platinum model electrode. Preliminary investigations by cyclic voltammetry showed that the Pb/PbO₂ anode presents a good chemical and electrochemical stability and possesses a high oxygen overvoltage. The study also showed that the electrochemical oxidation of phenol on Pt and PbO₂ in acidic media is a complex process. Long-time electrolysis was carried out using a three potential-plateau program with different values of the oxidation potentials and different concentrations of phenol. The obtained results showed that the transformation of phenol is total on the Pb/PbO₂ anode and that it is partial on Pt. On the other hand an increase in the phenol concentration decreases the rate of its conversion on the electrodes.     

Electrochemical oxidation of dyes on oxide lead anode with the involvement of active oxygen species

Kinetics and selectivity of oxidation of dyes (Methyl Orange and Chrome Dark Blue) on a lead dioxide (Pb/PbO₂) anode at various current densities, substrate concentrations, and pH values with the use of various active oxygen species was studied. It was shown that the electrochemical oxidation of dyes on the Pb/PbO₂ anode occurs rather effectively under the chosen conditions. The mineralization efficiency in 5 h was 51 to 89.5 and 93 to 100% for, respectively, Methyl Orange and Chrome Dark Blue, depending on the electrolysis conditions.     

Electrochemical degradation of tramadol hydrochloride: Novel use of potentiometric carbon paste electrodes as a tracer

The electrochemical removal of tramadol hydrochloride from aqueous solutions has been investigated under several operating conditions using a Pb/PbO₂ electrode. The optimum conditions of the treatment process are: current density of 1000 mA/cm⁻², pH ≈6, temperature of 10 °C and initial tramadol hydrochloride concentration of 100 mg/L. The time of electrolysis is 25 min for degradation rate of tramadol hydrochloride and chemical oxygen demeaned (COD) removal is 22 h. The results were obtained by UV–Vis spectrophotometer and the presently designed electrode was coincident.     

Investigation on electro-catalytic oxidation properties of carbon nanotube–Ce-modified PbO2 electrode and its application for degradation of m-nitrophenol

In this work a carbon nanotube–Ce-modified PbO₂ (CNT–Ce–PbO₂) electrode was prepared by electrodeposition method, and compared with pure PbO₂, Ce–PbO₂, and CNT–PbO₂ electrodes. The direct and indirect oxidation capacities of prepared electrodes in electro-catalytic oxidation processes were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and hydroxyl radical production tests, respectively. The electro-catalytic activity of electrodes was examined by electro-catalytic oxidation of a model pollutant of m-nitrophenol (m-NP). Besides, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was also employed to identify the products resulting from the electro-catalytic oxidation of m-NP and the degradation mechanism of m-NP was proposed. Results show that the CNT–Ce–PbO₂ anode has higher direct and indirect oxidation capacities than pure PbO₂, Ce–PbO₂, and CNT–PbO₂ anodes. In the electro-catalytic oxidation of m-NP, the m-NP can be oxidized and degraded at all anodes, and the oxidation reactions of m-NP follow first-order kinetics. m-NP and TOC removal efficiencies are about 0.987 and 0.622 after electrolysis of 120 min and a maximum first-order rate constant of 0.036 min⁻¹ is achieved at the CNT–Ce–PbO₂ anode, which are obviously higher than those of the other three kinds of anodes.     

Influence of F‐ doping on the microstructure,surface morphology and electrochemical properties of the lead dioxide electrode

The lead dioxide electrode (PbO₂) with Ti substrate and SnO₂‐Sb₂O₅ intermediate layer was doped by F^‐ ion through the potentiostatic anode co‐deposition method. The content of F in the coating can be controlled by adjusting deposition potential. The effect of F^‐ doping on the composition, surface morphology and electrochemical properties of the PbO₂ electrode was characterized by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electrochemical measurement methods. The results have confirmed that the content of β‐PbO₂ increases with increasing that of F, and the doping can make the β‐PbO₂ grains become fine and the electrode surface become smooth; the specific surface areas and conductivity increase, and the initial potential of oxygen evolution shifts toward positive direction compared with the free‐doped PbO₂ electrode; the oxygen evolution potential increases with the increasing of the F^‐content in the PbO₂ film electrode. The bulk electrolysis result demonstrated that the performances of the F‐PbO₂ electrode for anodic oxidation aniline have been improved to some extent. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Electrochemical degradation of buprofezin insecticide in aqueous solutions by anodic oxidation at boron-doped diamond electrode

Buprofezin (2-tert-butylimino-3-isopropyl-5-phenyl-1,3,5-thiadiazinan-4-one) is identified as a commonly used chemical with satisfactory biological activities against sucking insect pests, but its disposal causes serious environmental problems. This pesticide was treated by an electrolysis system using a boron-doped diamond (BDD) as anode and platinum as cathode. A number of experiments were run on a laboratory scale and the results are presented. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) measurement during the processing permitted the evaluation of the kinetic of organic matter decay and the instantaneous current efficiency. Different operating conditions and factors affecting the treatment process including current density, conductive electrolyte, pH, concentration of buprofezin, and time of electrolysis were studied and optimized. The best obtained conditions for COD removal on the BDD anode to degrade buprofezin solutions (COD₀ = 1,200 mg L^?1) include operating at 60 mA cm^?2 and 25 ± 3 °C. The high efficiency of this technology can be explained in terms of the direct electrooxidation at the BDD surface and the oxidation carried out by hydroxyl radicals (OH^?) and other electro-generated oxidants (Cl^?, ClO^?).     

Lead dioxide as an alternative catalyst to platinum in microbial fuel cells

Lead dioxide (PbO₂) was compared to platinum (Pt) as a cathode catalyst in a double-cell microbial fuel cell (MFC) utilizing glucose as a substrate in the anode chamber. Four types of cathodes were tested in this study including two PbO₂ cathodes fabricated using a titanium base with butanol or Nafion^® binders and PbO₂ paste, one Pt/carbon cathode fabricated using a titanium base with a carbon–Pt paste, and a commercially available Pt/carbon cathode made from carbon paper with Pt on one side. The power density and polarization curves were compared for each cathode and cost estimates were calculated. Results indicate the PbO₂ cathodes produced between 2 and 4× more power than the Pt cathodes. Furthermore, the PbO₂ cathodes produced between 2 and 17× more power per initial fabrication or purchase cost than the Pt cathodes. This study suggests that cathode designs that incorporate PbO₂ instead of Pt could possibly improve the feasibility of scaling up MFC designs for real world applications by improving power generation and lowering production cost.     

Promotion of PtIr and Pt catalytic activity towards ammonia electrooxidation through the modification of Zn

Zn is introduced into Pt and PtIr electrodes by applying potential cycles to their corresponding polycrystalline microdisc electrodes in a ZnCl₂-containing ionic liquid bath. Scanning-electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis studies show that nanostructured PtIrZn and PtZn layers created on the microdisc electrodes contain approximately 5 wt% Zn. Cyclic voltammetric studies reveal that PtZn and PtIrZn are significantly more active towards electrochemical ammonia oxidation in alkaline media than virgin Pt and PtIr electrodes. The PtIrZn electrode demonstrates a low onset potential of 0.30 V vs RHE and a high exchange current density of 4.3 × 10^− 8 A cm^− 2, which is favorably comparable to state-of-the-art electrocatalyts for the same reaction. The catalytic activity promotion by the Zn modification may be related to the inhibition of the hydrogen electrochemistry. PtIrZn appears therefore to be a very promising anode catalyst for direct ammonia fuel cells and ammonia electrolysis.     

Indirect electrochemical oxidation of substituted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to corresponding para-quinones with potassium bromide in water–chloroform medium

Indirect electrochemical synthesis of quinone derivatives of a series of substituted anthracene and naphthalene by the electrolysis of aqueous solution of potassium bromide (3.0 M) using Pt anode at constant current density (40 mA/cm²) has been carried out. These reactions resulted in good to excellent yields of the corresponding para-quinones as confirmed by physical and spectral data.     

On the Utilization of Boron Doped Diamond Electrode as a Sensor for Parathion and as an Anode for Electrochemical Combustion Of Parathion

This work proposes the utilization of a boron doped diamond (BDD) electrode as a sensor for pesticides and as well as an anode for electrochemical combustion of Parathion in spiked, pure and natural waters. The square‐wave voltammetry was selected as the electroanalytical technique and the Britton–Robinson buffer as the electrolyte. The electrochemical reduction responses of Parathion were analyzed and compared with those previously obtained using a hanging mercury electrode (HMDE). The detection and quantification limits were calculated from the analytical curves both for BDD and HMDE in Milli‐Q water (2.4 and 7.9 μg L^?1 and 3.9 and 12.8 μg L^?1 respectively) showing only a slight improvement when used BDD. However, if the application involves polluted natural waters the improvement is accentuated due to the very low adsorption characteristics of BDD, which prevent the fouling of electrode surface by organic pollutants. The BDD was also used as anode for electrochemical remediation of Parathion contamination. In this case, electrolysis was carried out in high positive potential (3.0 V) and lead the electrochemical combustion of Parathion to CO₂ and H₂O, as measured by the diminishing of total organic carbon in the electrolyte.     

Electrodeposited PbO2 thin film on Ti electrode for application in hybrid supercapacitor

PbO₂ thin films were prepared by pulse current technique on Ti substrate from Pb(NO₃)₂ plating solution. The hybrid supercapacitor was designed with PbO₂ thin film as positive electrode and activated carbon (AC) as negative electrode in the 5.3 M H₂SO₄ solution. Its electrochemical properties were determined by cyclic voltammetry (CV), charge–discharge test and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results revealed that the PbO₂/AC hybrid supercapacitor exhibited large specific capacitance, high-power and stable cycle performance. In the potential range of 0.8–1.8 V, the hybrid supercapacitor can deliver a specific capacitance of 71.5 F g^?1 at a discharge current density of 200 mA g^?1(4 mA cm^?2) when the mass ratio of AC to PbO₂ was three, and after 4500 deep cycles, the specific capacitance remains at 64.4 F g^?1, or 32.2 Wh Kg^?1 in specific energy, and the capacity only fades 10% from its initial value.     

Electrochemical oxidation of phenol on boron-doped diamond electrode

The process of phenol oxidation on a boron-doped diamond electrode (BDD) is studied in acidic electrolytes under different conditions of generation of active oxygen forms (AOFs). The scheme of phenol oxidation known from the literature for other electrode materials is confirmed. Phenol is oxidized through a number of intermediates (benzoquinone, carboxylic acids) to carbon dioxide and water. Comparative analysis of phenol oxidation rate constants is performed as dependent on the electrolysis conditions: direct anodic oxidation, with oxygen bubbling, and addition of H₂O₂. A scheme is confirmed according to which active radicals (OH^·, HO₂^·, HO₂⁻) are formed on a BDD anode that can oxidize the substrate which leads to formation of organic radicals interacting with each other and forming condensation products. Processes with participation of free radicals (chain-radical mechanism) play an important role in electrochemical oxidation on BDD. Intermediates and polymeric substances (polyphenols, quinone structures, and resins) are formed. An excess of the oxidant (H₂O₂) promotes a more effective oxidation of organic radicals and accordingly inhibition of the condensation process.     

Electrochemical degradation of 2,4-Dinitrotoluene (DNT) from aqueous solutions using three-dimensional electrocatalytic reactor (3DER): Degradation pathway,evaluation of toxicity and optimization using RSM-CCD

2,4-Dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT) has been found to be an important petrochemical compound, which is primarily employed for the synthesis of tolylene diisocyanate and the production of dyes, rubber, and explosives. Since this compound has high toxicity and carcinogenicity, the cautions should be considered when wastewater contaminated with DNTs and their derivatives is released into the environment. Thus, the object of the present study was the investigation of the 2,4-DNT degradation efficiency using the three-dimensional electrocatalytic reactor (3DER) with two different types of particle electrodes (granular activated carbon (GAC) and magnetized clinoptilolite zeolite (MCZ)@Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles)). Preparation of the graphite (G)/β-PbO₂ anode was done by electrochemically depositing PbO₂ layers on graphite sheets. The prepared graphite sheet and a stainless-steel 316 sheet (with the same dimensions) were employed as the anode and the cathode, respectively. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy mapping (EDS-mapping) confirmed the successful preparation of G/β-PbO₂ anode. The surface morphology, chemical composition of MCZ@Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles as a particle electrode were determined by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and XRD pattern. To determine the optimal conditions, we employed the response surface methodology-based central composite design (RSM-CCD) method. According to observed results, higher efficiency of 3DER was obtained by increasing the reaction time and current density and decreasing pH and the pollutant concentration. Studies highlighted the initial 2,4-DNT concentration of 23.5 mg/L, current density 4.8 mA/cm², pH of 4.1, electrolysis time of 50 min, particle electrodes dose = 6 g/250 cc as optimum values of parameters. The 2,4-DNT degradation efficiencies using GAC and MCZ@Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles as particle electrodes under mentioned optimal conditions were 98.6% and 96.5%, respectively. Moreover, the chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total organic carbon (TOC) removal efficiencies were 88.5% and 80.9% at the end of 50 min, respectively. Furthermore, results were indicative of an enhancement in average oxidation state (AOS) (from 1.27 to 2.36) and carbon oxidation state (COS) (from 1.27 to 3.68) in the 3DER process and a reduction in the COD/TOC ratio (from 1.81 to 1.09); these signposts the effectiveness of 3DER system for providing the biodegradability of 2,4-DNT. Considering the results, the 3DER could lead to suitable results for the degradation of wastewater containing DNT and resistant contaminants as pretreatment and has remarkable applicability for enhancing the biodegradability of wastewater.     

Comparison of the performances of Ti/SnO2-Sb, Ti/SnO2-Sb/PbO2, and Nb/BDD anodes on electrochemical degradation of azo dye

In this paper, the preparation conditions of antimony-doped SnO₂ and PbO₂ electrode were optimized for the degradation activity of AO7 dye solution. The results showed that when the doping content of Sb is 8 mol %(SnO₂-Sb(0.08)), the SnO₂ electrode exhibited best activities for the decolorization and mineralization of AO7. The concentration of NaF in electroplating solution had a noticeable effect on PbO₂ electrode for the decolorization of AO7 solution, but little influence on the COD removal rate. The anodic stability tests showed that the electrode prepared in the solution containing 0.10 g l⁻¹ NaF (PbO₂-F(0.10)) was best for environmental application. The comparison of SnO₂-Sb(0.08), PbO₂-F(0.10) and Boron-doped Diamond (BDD) electrodes revealed that a more rapid decolorization rate was obtained on SnO₂-Sb(0.08) and PbO₂-F(0.10) electrodes in dilute AO7 solutions, while higher COD removal rate of concentrated AO7 solutions was on BDD and SnO₂-Sb(0.08) electrodes. The effect of concentration of Na₂SO₄ on the degradation rate of AO7 was very notable on BDD electrode for its highest overpotential of oxygen evolution reaction. In the chloride-containing medium, the decolorization was accelerated greatly but the completed mineralization of AO7 was inhibited with the increasing of chloride ions concentration when these high-overvoltage anodes were used Published in Russian in Elektrokhimiya, 2008, vol. 44, No. 7, pp. 865–875. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

电解液对全铅单液流电池电极性能的影响

研究Pb(II)和H+离子浓度对全铅单液流电池正、负电极在复合石墨基体上电化学行为的影响.结果表明,PbO2正极和Pb负极的电极过程受电化学和扩散混合控制.Pb(II)氧化沉积成PbO2时出现成核环,铅负极成核过电位小,充放电电压差远小于PbO2正极,电池极化主要来自PbO2正极.增加H+浓度有利于降低PbO2正极和Pb负极的极化,但析氧、析氢副反应和腐蚀加重.增大Pb(II)浓度有利于抑制析氧,但PbO2正极充电电压升高,充放电电压差增大.Pb(II)浓度较低时,充放电过程中PbO2沉积层少许脱落,充电电压进一步降低且更趋平稳.为此,电解液中HBF4浓度以2 mol L-1为宜,Pb(II)浓度应在0.9 mol L-1以上.