Novel electrochemical heterogeneous catalytic reactor for organic pollutant abatement

Taking nitrobenzene as a model, electrochemical heterogeneous catalytic degradation of organic pollutant is investigated using a novel electrochemical heterogeneous catalytic reactor coupled by three-dimensional electrode with heterogeneous catalytic reactor. The nitrobenzene removal efficiencies considerably depend on the applied potential, initial pH, and the concentration of the supporting electrolyte. The results show that, with catalyst the nitrobenzene removal efficiencies are higher than that of control (without catalyst). The efficiency of ferrous catalyst is the best for nitrobenzene removal especially. It is clear that the reaction of electro-oxidation is promoted by the catalyst. A possible mechanism of nitrobenzene degradation is deduced based on products. Published in Russian in Elektrokhimiya, 2007, Vol. 43, No. 3, pp. 313–318. The text was submitted by the authors in English.