Graphene-doped carbon black gas diffusion electrode for nonmetallic electrochemical advanced oxidation process under mild conditions

Abstract

ABSTRACTGraphene-doped (<3 wt%) carbon black gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) were prepared as the cathode for nonmetallic electrochemical advanced oxidation process (EAOP) in the neutral environment. The elemental composition, porous structure and active surface area were characterized and the concentration of Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and OH• were determined. Bisphenol A (BPA) was used as a model pollutant to assess the performance of the EAOP for organic wastewater treatment. The results showed that oxygen in the atmosphere was reduced to OH• on the GDE, where carbon black catalyzed oxygen reduction to H2O2 and graphene provide Π-electrons for the following H2O2 decomposition. BPA with initial concentration of 20 mg L−1 was completely removed within 30 min and the total organic carbon removal reached 44.60%. The EAOP with the graphene-doped carbon black GDEs exhibited significant advantages for organic wastewater treatment.