Performance of different crystal structures of PbO 2 on electrochemical degradation of phenol in aqueous solution

Abstract

Phenol degradation was carried out in acidic aqueous solution on different crystal structures of PbO 2 surfaces at room temperature. Phenol, benzoquinone and maleic acid concentrations were monitored during the electrolysis process. It was determined that β surfaces have higher performance than α surfaces on phenol degradation. Then, the effect of crystallinities of pure β-PbO 2 surfaces was investigated and found that higher crystallinity increased the efficiency of the phenol degradation process.