Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Aromatic Ecopollutants on Composite Anodic Materials

Abstract

Electrocatalytic oxidation of aromatic pollutants (aniline, Methyl Orange, Eriochrome blue SE) is studied on lead dioxide, boron doped diamond, and ruthenium- and titanium-oxide-based anodes (DSA, dimensionally stable anode). The catalytic properties of the tested materials are studied using cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic electrolysis. The activity of electrodes toward the electrochemical conversion of organics is shown to increase in the sequence of DSA Methyl Orange > aniline for all electrodes. The oxidation process of the compounds corresponds to the pseudo-first-order reaction kinetics. The apparent rate constant grows at an increase in the applied current density and decrease in the initial pollutant concentration. The formation of both •OH and $${\text{SO}}_{4}^{{2\centerdot {\kern 1pt} - }}$$ radicals is confirmed by the free radical quenching studies; their contribution to the Eriochrome blue SE dye destruction process is evaluated.