Electrochemical abatement of amaranth dye solutions using individual or an assembling of flow cells with Ti/Pt and Ti/Pt-SnSb anodes

• Published in: Separation and purification technology Vol. 179; pp. 194 - 203
• Main Authors: Fajardo, Ana S., Martins, Rui C., Silva, Djalma R., Quinta-Ferreira, Rosa M., Martínez-Huitle, Carlos A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 31.05.2017
• Subjects: Active anode; Assembling of electrochemical flow cells in series; Azo dye; Cyclic voltammetry; Wastewater electrochemical process; Cyclic voltammetry; Active anode; Wastewater electrochemical process; Azo dye; Assembling of electrochemical flow cells in series
• ISSN: 1383-5866; 1873-3794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2017.01.029

[Display omitted] •Ti/Pt, Ti/Pt-SnSb and Nb/BDD anodes applied to a flow cells arrangement in series.•Nature of the anode material and current density affected the efficiency of individual flow cells.•Efficiency of flow cells system in series affected by anodes position and current density.•Colour and COD removal enhanced with energy consumption reduced.•System of two flow cells in series is an interesting alternative to treat dye effluents. Electrochemical measurements and bulk electrolysis using individual or an assembling of flow cells in series were performed to study the anodic oxidation of amaranth dye solutions with Ti/Pt and Ti/Pt-SnSb anodes. Polarisation curves demonstrated that Ti/Pt-SnSb has high electroactivity to eliminate the pollutant. Bulk electrolysis with this material, at 30mAcm−2, removed 97.5% and 70.3% of colour and COD. Two cell configurations led to higher removal rates depending on the cell-electrode position. Additionally, experiments combining Ti/Pt-SnSb and Nb/BDD materials were performed to clarify the effect of non-active anodes in the system. Assembling cells revealed to be an interesting pre-treatment to degrade organic compounds. The suitable system choice will be dependent on the final target COD value, the reaction time and the energy consumption.