Electrochemical degradation of Novacron Yellow C-RG using boron-doped diamond and platinum anodes: Direct and Indirect oxidation

Abstract

The present study discusses the electrochemical degradation process of a textile dye, Novacron Yellow C-RG (NY), dissolved in synthetic wastewaters, via direct and indirect oxidation. Experiments were conducted using boron-doped diamond (BDD) and platinum supported on Ti (Pt/Ti) electrodes in the absence and presence of NaCl in the solution. The direct process for removing color is relatively similar for both anodes, while the electrochemical degradation is significantly accelerated by the presence of halogen salt in the solution. Interestingly, it does not depend on applied current density, but rather on NaCl concentration. Therefore, the electrochemical processes (direct/indirect) favor specific oxidation pathways depending on electrocatalytic material. Whereas, the Pt/Ti anode favors preferentially color removal by direct and indirect oxidation (100% of color removal) due to the fragmentation of the azo dye group; BDD electrode favors color and organic load removals in both processes (95% and up to 87%, respectively), due to the rupture of dye in different parts of its chemical structure. Parameters of removal efficiency and energy consumption for the electrochemical process were estimated. Finally, an explanation has been attempted for the role of halide, in relation with the oxygen evolution reaction, concomitant with the electrochemical incineration as well as electrocatalytic mechanisms, for each one of the electrodes used.