Electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs) have emerged as novel water treatment technologies for the elimination of a broad-range of water contaminants. EAOPs have grown in popularity due their ease of operation, energy efficiency, and ability to oxidize recalcitrant contaminants. However, recent work has shown that state-of-the-art anodes (i.e., boron-doped diamond (BDD)) used for EAOPs suffer from significant perchlorate production, which is a byproduct formed through the oxidation of the chloride present in all domestic and industrial aqueous waste streams. Perchlorate formation is problematic because it is difficult to remove and has been linked to various health risks, and thus prevents the use of EAOPs in potable water treatment applications. This talk focuses on the mechanism of perchlorate formation on BDD electrodes, and the effect of surface functional groups on the BDD surface for either promoting or inhibiting its formation. An understanding of the perchlorate formation mechanism obtained from reaction rate studies and density functional theory modeling has led to the development of functionalized BDD anodes that maintain the same high reactivity for water contaminants as traditional BDD electrodes, but significantly diminish perchlorate production.

Functionalization of boron-doped diamond electrodes for the minimization of perchlorate formation during electrochemical advanced oxidation processes

249th National Meeting (2015)

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