Electrooxidation of phenol on carbon fibre-based anodes through continuous electrolysis of synthetic wastewater

This work reports on the process of phenol electrooxidation, which is carried-out through continuous electrolysis of synthetic, sodium sulphate-based wastewater. Phenol electrodegradation is examined by means of a laboratory size (ca. 700 cm3 of working volume), poly (methyl methacrylate)-made electrolyser unit for various, carbon fibre and graphite-based anode configurations, and stainless steel cathodes, two different current-densities and concentrations of phenol in synthetically prepared wastewater solution. Proper monitoring of phenol degradation (including quantitative identification of reaction products and calculation of specific energy consumption) in wastewater is performed by means of instrumental, combined HPLC and MS technique in function of electrolysis time.

Kinetics of electrooxidation of phenol on polycrystalline platinum

This work reports on kinetics of phenol electrooxidation reaction (PhER), examined at polycrystalline Pt electrode in 0.5 M H2SO4 and 0.1 M NaOH supporting solutions. Important aspects of PhER kinetics were analysed based on potential-dependent, a.c. impedance-derived values of charge-transfer resistance and capacitance parameters. Special attention was also given to the influence of supporting electrolyte ions on the process of phenol oxidation (pH dependence of the PhER), in relation to an important role of anion adsorption on the Pt catalyst surface.

Study of Phenol Oxidation Products over Glassy Carbon Electrode in Alkaline Solutions by Photoluminescence Spectroscopy

In this research, a new approach is used to identify the products of electrochemical oxidation of UV visible substances over solid electrodes. In order to determine the product of phenol electrooxidation over glassy carbon electrode, the results obtained using voltammetric method and photoluminescence spectroscopy have been compared. It was proved that in an alkaline solution phenol is present in form of phenolate-ion, adsorbing on the surface of glassy carbon electrode, and oxidized to hydroquinone with transfer of two electrons.