Efficient photoelectrochemical oxidation of rhodamine B on metal electrodes without photocatalyst or supporting electrolyte

Abstract

We designed photoelectrochemical cells to achieve efficient oxidation of rhodamine B (RhB) without the need for photocatalyst or supporting electrolyte. RhB, the metal anode/cathode, and O2 formed an energy-relay structure, enabling the efficient formation of O 2 – species under ultraviolet illumination. In a single-compartment cell (S cell) containing a titanium (Ti) anode, Ti cathode, and 10 mg·mL–1 RhB in water, the zero-order rate constant of the photoelectrochemical oxidation (kPEC) of RhB was 0.049 mg·L–1·min–1, while those of the photochemical and electrochemical oxidations of RhB were nearly zero. kPEC remained almost the same when 0.5 mol·L–1 Na2SO4 was included in the reactive solution, regardless of the increase in the photocurrent of the S cell. The kPEC of the illuminated anode compartment in the two-compartment cell, including a Ti anode, Ti cathode, and 10 mg·mL–1 RhB in water, was higher than that of the S cell. These results support a simple, eco-friendly, and energysaving method to realize the efficient degradation of RhB. Open image in new window