Three-dimensional electrochemical degradation of p-aminophenol with efficient honeycomb block AC@Ti-Cu-Ni-Zn-Sb-Mn particle electrodes

• Published in: Separation and purification technology Vol. 267; p. 118662
• Main Authors: Wan, Jia, Zhao, Feiping, Meng, Yong, Guo, Mengyan, Tang, Chong-jian, Shi, Yan, Ke, Yong, Hu, Rong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.07.2021
• Subjects: Degradation mechanism; Level and factor; Particle electrodes; Refractory organic pollutants; Sol–gel method; Three-dimensional electrochemical reactor; Degradation mechanism; Level and factor; Sol–gel method; Refractory organic pollutants; Particle electrodes; Three-dimensional electrochemical reactor
• ISSN: 1383-5866; 1873-3794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2021.118662

The study reported one concept for fabrication of honeycomb block AC@Ti-Cu-Ni-Zn-Sb-Mn particles serving as packed bed particle electrodes for the degradation of PAP in wastewater. The proposed three-dimensional electrochemical systems exhibit excellent removal efficiency toward PAP. The particle electrodes activated O2 to generate H2O2 further forming OH. The pathway study suggested that the quinoneimine is the major intermediate and OH radicals play important roles in the reaction. [Display omitted] •Honeycomb block particle electrodes were synthesized through a facile method.•Ti-Cu-Ni-Zn-Sb-Mn were in-situ loaded on particle electrodes as catalysts.•The AC@Ti-Cu-Ni-Zn-Sb-Mn activated O2 to generate H2O2 further forming OH.•PAP is mainly degraded by indirect oxidation of OH radical. Emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals has been one of the most challenging environmental problems. In this work, we developed a one-step facile sol–gel method of loading TiO2, CuO, NiO, ZnO, Sb2O3 and MnO onto honeycomb block activated carbon (AC@Ti-Cu-Ni-Zn-Sb-Mn), further applying as particle electrodes in a three-dimensional electrochemical system for the efficient degradation of p-aminophenol (PAP). Factors associated with the preparation of AC@Ti-Cu-Ni-Zn-Sb-Mn particle electrodes were investigated. The AC@Ti-Cu-Ni-Zn-Sb-Mn particle electrodes were analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectrum analysis (EDX), X-Ray Diffraction analysis (XRD), Brunner-Emmet-Teller (BET) and X-ray Photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The effects of conductivity, pH value, aeration intensity, current density, conductivity and initial concentration on PAP degradation were also studied. Importantly, the PAP degradation results show that the activity of the particle electrodes supported by block honeycomb activated carbon is much better than that of the particle electrodes supported by granular activated carbon. The removal efficiency of PAP achieved approximately 99.87% under the optimized condition. The pathway study suggested that the quinoneimine is the major intermediate during the three-dimensional electrochemical degradation and OH radicals play important roles in the reaction. Overall, its facile fabrication and efficient electrochemical degradation performance indicate that the proposed honeycomb block particle electrodes have potential for practical applications of refractory organic pollutants.