Electrochemical Degradation of Chloroform Using Anode and Cu/Zn Cathode
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 142, Issue 2
Abstract
Electrochemical method is a promising technology for biorefractory organic wastewater treatment. In this study, commercial available electrode materials, and Cu/Zn, were used as anode and cathode, respectively, to treat -contaminated water. The performance was investigated through cyclic voltammetry and paired electrolysis in an undivided cell. The voltammetric data revealed that the Cu/Zn cathode exhibited good electrocatalytic activity toward reduction. By contrast, no direct oxidation of was observed at the anode. The reduction of at the Cu/Zn cathode took place through a three-step consecutive hydrodechlorination mechanism. During the paired electrolysis with current density of , the chemical oxygen demand (COD) of solution was decreased from 194 to within 300 min with an energy consumption of . A mild acidic environment (pH 4.6) was shown to be more favorable to abatement. Decreasing the anode/cathode surface area ratio also had significant impact on reduction, and the optimal ratio was 2.0. The results demonstrated that Cu/Zn cathode is a potential candidate for chlorinated organic compound removal.
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Acknowledgments
This research work was supported by the National Nature Science Foundation (No. 31140082) and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (No. 2652013058). G.W. thanks the China Scholarship Council (CSC, No. 201406400029).
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Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 142 • Issue 2 • February 2016
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© 2015 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jan 5, 2015
Accepted: Aug 11, 2015
Published online: Sep 30, 2015
Published in print: Feb 1, 2016
Discussion open until: Feb 29, 2016
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