Electrochemical synthesis of ferrate in presence of ultrasound using boron doped diamond anodes

Abstract

The use of an ultrasound processor is proposed to enhance the efficiency of the electrosynthesis of ferrates with boron-doped diamond anodes. The chemical dissolution of the iron powder used as raw material, due to the extreme pH on the nearness of the anode surface, improves the results significantly. The application of ultrasound during electrolyses, besides having a positive effect on the dissolution of the raw material, also favors the mass transport of iron species to the electrode surface, and thus its used enhances the efficiency of the process. The hydroxyl ion concentration and the current density also have a clear influence on the results: high current density favors iron dissolution and hydroxyl radical generation, whereas high hydroxyl ions concentration contributes to the stability of produced ferrate.