Discovering the roles of electrode distance and configuration in dye degradation and electricity generation in photocatalytic fuel cell integrated electro-Fenton process

Abstract

• Mass transfer of ions in the PFC-EF system affected by electrode distance. • Closest electrode distance yielded highest power output and degradation efficiency. • Single cathode PFC-EF system was more feasible for dye degradation. • Double cathodes PFC-EF system achieved the highest voltage output. Photocatalytic fuel cell (PFC) integrated electro-Fenton (EF) system (PFC-EF system) was considered as an eco-friendly approach for dye degradation and electricity generation simultaneously. The modification on configuration of PFC-EF system was aimed to improve the dye degradation and power output. Effect of electrode distance on the efficiency of PFC-EF system was investigated as it was a crucial factor in the mass transfer of ions in PFC-EF system. Closer electrode distance reduced the resistance flow of ions and enhanced the mass transfer of ions between the electrodes in both PFC and EF, eventually yielded higher concentration of reactive species for removal of dye. Four different electrode configurations by varying the number of cathodes in PFC and EF were investigated to discover the most efficient operating configuration for this PFC-EF system. The dye decolourization rate was evaluated and compared by using pseudo-first order and second order in both PFC and EF system, respectively. Results revealed that single cathode PFC-EF system was the most effective configuration in dye degradation while double cathodes PFC-EF system was the optimal configuration to be used for power output.