Studies on Effective Generation of Mediators Simultaneously at Both Half-Cells for VOC Degradation by Mediated Electroreduction and Mediated Electrooxidation

Abstract

Of the several electrochemical methods for pollutant degradation, the mediated electrooxidation (MEO) process is widely used. However, the MEO process utilizes only one (anodic) compartment toward pollutant degradation. To effectively utilize the full electrochemical cell, an improved electrolytic cell producing both oxidant and reductant mediators at their respective half-cells, which can be employed for treating two pollutants simultaneously, was investigated. The cathodic half-cell was studied first toward maximum [Co I (CN) 5 ] 4– (Co + ) generation (21%) from a [Co II (CN) 6 ] 3– precursor by optimizing several experimental factors such as the electrolyte, cathode material, and orientation of the Nafion324 membrane. The anodic half-cell was optimized similarly for higher Co 3 (SO 4 ) 2 (Co 3+ ) yields (41%) from a Co II SO 4 precursor. The practical utility of the newly developed full cell setup, combining the optimized cathodic half-cell and optimized anodic half-cell, was demonstrated by electroscrubbing experiments with simultaneous dichloromethane removal by Co + via the mediated electroreduction process and phenol removal by Co 3+ via the MEO process, showing not only utilization of the full electrochemical cell, but also degradation of two different pollutants by the same applied current that was used in the conventional cell to remove only one pollutant.