Enhanced electrolytic production of hypochlorous acid using phosphorus-modified carbon felt electrodes: A study in disinfectant synthesis

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) Vol. 365; p. 143367
• Main Authors: Ren, Shuoqi, Zhang, Qiwei, Yuan, Mu, Cui, Chongwei, Qiu, Shan, Deng, Fengxia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2024
• Subjects: Heteroatom doping; Hypochlorous acid; Stability; Sterilizing effect; Stability; Hypochlorous acid; Sterilizing effect; Heteroatom doping; sterilizing effect; heteroatom doping; stability
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.143367

In this study, we fabricated phosphorus-modified carbon felt electrode anodes for chloride oxidation in saline solutions to produce HClO via electrocatalysis, forming a compound fungicide saline applicable for debridement and disinfection. A low-cost phosphorus-modified carbon felt electrode (P@CF) with high chlorine evolution reaction activity was synthesized to address the reduced efficiency of CER and the solution's pH increase. Heteroatoms P and O were introduced into the carbon felt by phosphoric acid activation followed by heat treatment. The maximum active chlorine concentration on the P@CF electrode could reach 616.8 mg/L in 60 min under the optimal synthesis conditions of a phosphoric acid mass fraction of 30%, a phosphoric acid impregnation time of 3 h, and a heat treatment temperature of 300 °C. The active chlorine concentration was 1.8 times higher on the P@CF electrode compared to the original carbon felt electrode. The optimal reaction conditions for the generation of active chlorine were as follows: salt concentration of 9 g/L, voltage of 7 V, and electrode spacing of 2 cm as verified by response surfaces. This electrolysis reaction follows one-stage reaction kinetics. Subsequently, the disinfection efficacy of the produced disinfectants was examined. The prepared disinfectant was also compared to a commercially available hypochlorite disinfectant, showing similar disinfection effects on E. coli for both. [Display omitted] •Synthesis of phosphorous modified carbon felt electrode to enhance HClO yield.•Optimization of key parameters using response surface methodology.•Achieving disinfectant efficacy comparable to commercial products.