Electrocatalytic degradation of acetaminophen by fluorine-doped graphene oxide: Efficiency and mechanism under constant current and pulse current supply

Abstract

Doping graphene with fluorine atoms could increase the capacitance of graphene and promote the migration of ions and electrons, thereby increasing electrocatalytic activity. For energy conservation and environmental protection, fluorine-doped graphene oxide was made by an effective solvothermal method and then used as a cathode for acetaminophen (APAP) degradation under constant current and pulse current supply. Unexpectedly, the removal rate of APAP was the same under constant current and pulse current supply within 120 min. To clarify the underlying mechanism under constant current and pulse current supply, various active species generated during the reaction were analyzed. It was found that the different functional active species contributed to the efficiency under constant current and pulse current supply. O2•− and chloride reactive species were favorably generated during constant current supply and oxidized APAP, whereas •OH played a critical role in APAP oxidation without current supply. Two possible routes for APAP degradation are proposed under constant current and pulsed current supply. This research first uses the synergic effect of the electron storage capacity and the electrocatalytic capability of fluorine-doped graphene oxide for pollution degradation, and deepens the understanding of fluorine doping for the electrochemical catalytic oxidation of APAP.