Electrochemical methods are an interesting and clean alternative for the abatement of toxic organic pollutants. This paper details the study of the synthesis of electrode materials of nominal composition Ti/PbXTi1-XO2 (X = 0; 0.05; 0.10; 0.20 e 0.30) and their use as electrodes for degradation of organic pollutants using both electrochemical and photo-assisted electrochemical techniques. The results demonstrate that the materials produced are interesting from the point of view of organic removal. The application of simultaneous UV radiation with electrical current was capable of removing greater amounts of the organic load (>32% in <1 h) than the electrochemical technique alone.

O presente estudo objetiva a degradação eletroquímica do éster dimetilftalato (DMP) em uma célula em fluxo do tipo filtro-prensa, usando um ânodo dimensionalmente estável (DSA®). As melhores condições de eletrólise foram determinadas pela análise da natureza e concentração do eletrólito suporte, pH, densidade de corrente e temperatura. A remoção da concentração do DMP e do teor de carbono orgânico total (TOC) foram maiores na presença de NaCl, assim como os valores das constantes cinéticas de pseudo primeira ordem. Usando força iônica constante em 0,15 mol dm-3 pela adição de Na2SO4, a concentração de DMP diminuiu mais rapidamente a baixas concentrações de íons cloreto, enquanto que a remoção do teor de TOC após 1h de eletrólise aumentou com a adição de NaCl. A remoção do DMP foi similar para todas as densidades de corrente investigadas em solução ácida. A melhor opção operacional, considerando a eficiência energética, é de baixa densidade de corrente, já que o sistema eletroquímico encontra-se sob regime de transferência de massa.

The electrochemical degradation of dimethyl phthalate (DMP) using a one-compartment filter press flow cell and a commercial dimensionally stable anode (DSA®) is presented. The best electrolysis conditions were determined by the analysis of the influence of the nature and concentration of the support electrolyte, pH, current density and temperature. The abatement of DMP concentration and total organic carbon (TOC) removal were superior in the presence of NaCl, as well as the apparent first order kinetic constants. Using constant ionic strength at 0.15 mol dm-3 by adding Na2SO4, DMP concentration decreases faster at relative low NaCl concentrations while the TOC removal after 1 h of electrolysis increases with NaCl concentration. The DMP removal was very similar for all the current densities investigated at acidic solutions. When electric energy saving is considered, since the electrochemical system was under mass transport conditions, the best operational option is to use low current density values.

The degradation of vinasses in aqueous solution from ethanol industry has been investigated by electrochemical oxidation using a boron doped diamond electrode (BDD). Samples of vinasses were electrolyzed in medium of (0.1 mol L-1) Na2SO4 solutions at controlled potentials of +2.4, +3.0 and +4.0 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) and exhibited considerable reduction of total organic carbon. The cyclic voltammetry studies indicate that the vinasses are oxidized irreversibly over the BDD at 2.0 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) in diffusion controlled process. From the experimental results it is clear that the BDD electrode can be a valuable tool to the electrochemical degradation of vinasses in practical applications

As remoções eletroquímicas de cor e do conteúdo orgânico de soluções do corante laranja reativo 16 (RO16) foram efetuadas usando uma célula em fluxo e um eletrodo de trabalho de Pt. As influências das variáveis do sistema, tais como fluxo, concentração de NaCl, potencial aplicado e pH da solução, foram estudadas. A melhor remoção de cor foi de 93% (λ = 493 nm) após 60 min de eletrólise potentiostática a 2,2 V vs. ERH, usando 1,00 g L-1 NaCl como eletrólito suporte. Os aumentos na concentração de NaCl e do potencial aumentam a velocidade de remoção de cor. A melhor remoção de carbono orgânico total (57%) foi obtida com a aplicação de 1,8 V, sem membrana de separação, indicando que as melhores condições para remoção de cor não são necessariamente as melhores para remover conteúdo orgânico. A eficiência de degradação diminui com a diminuição do pH da solução.

Electrochemical removals of color and organic load from solutions containing the dye reactive orange 16 (RO16) were performed in an electrochemical flow-cell, using a platinum working electrode. The influence of the process variables flow-rate, such as NaCl concentration, applied potential and solution pH, were studied. The best color removal achieved was 93% (λ = 493 nm) after 60 min at 2.2 V vs. RHE electrolysis, using 1.00 g L-1 NaCl as supporting electrolyte. The rises in the concentration of NaCl and applied potential increased the color removal rate. The best total organic carbon removal (57%) was obtained at 1.8 V, without the separating membrane, indicating that the ideal conditions for the color removal are not necessarily the same as those to remove the total organic carbon. The degradation efficiency decreased with the solution pH decrease.

A remoção de CuII (10 mg L-1) complexado por ácido húmico comercial (100 mg L-1) foi estudada a diferentes densidades de corrente (30-80 mA cm-2) usando uma célula filtro-prensa, ânodo de Ti/Ru0.3Ti0.7O2 e cátodo de aço inoxidável. As eletrólises foram feitas com e sem membrana separando os compartimentos da célula [aniônica homogênea (Nafion R117), catiônica heterogênea (Ionac MC-3470) e aniônica heterogênea (Ionac MA-3475)]. A influência da membrana na velocidade de remoção de CuII foi maior com as catiônicas. Foi obtida eficiência de corrente de ca. 55% (Ionac MC-3470) para remoção de CuII a 30 mA cm-2. Combinando oxidação e redução, foi obtida remoção de 100% de CuII com eficiência de corrente de 75%. A etapa principal para a remoção é interação eletrostática com o ânodo, seguida pela difusão através da membrana e deposição sobre o cátodo. Adicionalmente, a degradação oxidativa de ácido húmico contribui com a velocidade de remoção de CuII.

The removal of CuII (10 mg L-1) complexed by commercial humic acid (100 mg L-1) was studied at different current densities (30-80 mA cm-2) using a filter-press cell, Ti/Ru0.3Ti0.7O2 anode and stainless steel cathode. The electrolyses were performed with and without membrane separating the cell compartments [(homogeneous anionic (Nafion R117), heterogeneous cationic (Ionac MC-3470) and heterogeneous anionic (Ionac MA-3475)]. The influence of the membrane on the rate of CuII removal was bigger for cationic membranes. Current efficiencies up to ca. 55% (Ionac MC-3470) for CuII removal at 30 mA cm-2 were obtained. By combining oxidation and reduction, 100% CuII removal was achieved at current efficiencies of 75%. The main path for the removal is the electrostatic interaction with the anode followed by diffusion through the membrane and deposition at the cathode. Additionally, the oxidative degradation of humic acid contributes to the rate of CuII removal.

Cadmium UPD on Au was studied by voltammetric and microgravimetric measurements. In the oxide formation/reduction potential region, a mass increasing/decreasing of 32 ng cm-2 was associated to incorporation/elimination of one oxygen per active site. The modifications promoted in the voltammetric and mass profiles by 10-5 M Cd(ClO4)2 are restricted to potentials more negative than 0.4 V. After a 120 s potential delay at 0.05 V, the positive sweep reveals an anodic peak with charge of 40 muC cm-2 and mass decrease of 22 ng cm-2, associated to Cd ads dissolution. Sulphate or chloride was added to the solution without significant influence, due to the low coverage with Cd or anions.