Bimetallic Rh-Cu catalysts supported on stainless-steel electrodes were prepared by electrodeposition method. The effect of deposition procedure on the performance of the electrodes in terms of perchlorate reduction efficiency was investigated by studying: (1) the deposition sequence between Rh and Cu, (2) the co-deposition of Rh and Cu from mixture solution, and (3) the Rh to Cu molecular ratio. Results showed that by placing the Rh on the outer layer exhibited two-fold increase in perchlorate reduction than that of Cu being on the outer layer. Electrodes preparation by depositing Rh and Cu simultaneously from a mixture solution showed unsatisfactory perchlorate reduction indicating that Rh and Cu should be deposited individually in appropriate sequence. Rh-Cu electrodes with 25 atm % Rh (outer layer) and 75 atm % Cu was the best bimetallic composition, which improved perchlorate reduction significantly. The Rh0.25-Cu0.75/SS electrode prepared in multiple-layers exhibited significantly improved perchlorate reduction. For example, five (outer) layers of Rh and two (inner) layers of Cu showed 87 % perchlorate removal, whereas one (outer) layer of Rh and one (inner) layer of Cu only removed 52 % of perchlorate. SEM images revealed that Rh0.25-Cu0.75/SS electrodes prepared in multiple-layers exhibited uniform particle size distribution and rougher surface morphology compared to electrodes prepared with single layer deposition. XPS spectra showed Cu2O and Rh-Cu alloy provide the major active surface sites for perchlorate reduction.

Electrochemical perchlorate reduction over bimetallic Ru-Cu catalysts supported on stainless-steel electrode in dilute aqueous solution

254th National Meeting (2017)

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