Electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs) have been extensively investigated for recalcitrant organic contaminants removal in drinking water treatment, industrial wastewater treatment, and ground water remediation. Mixed-metal oxide (MMO) and boron-doped diamond (BDD) anodes can be effectively used for this purpose, but often limited by their high cost. The oxidation of chloride to chlorine (HOCl/OCl–) and subsequent generation of toxic and persistent chlorinated byproducts could impede their application due to the widely existence of chloride in realistic water.<br/>This research prepared boron-doped reduced graphene oxide (BDrGO) modified electrodes and investigated persistent contaminants degradation and inhibition of chlorine generation by the electrodes. Carbamazepine was used as a model organic compound in surface water and was oxidized in the presence of NaCl. Carbamazepine can be totally degraded within 10 min in the presence and absence of NaCl at the current density of 5 mA/cm2, while it needs around 1 h for the rGO electrodes. This can be ascribed to the generation of hydroxyl radicals via the boron functional group on the BDrGO electrodes. The chlorine can be effectively inhibited by the BDrGO electrodes compared to the commercial BDD, even at higher chloride concentration (25 mM). The influence of the parameters including initial chloride concentration, current density, solution pH, and the natural organic matters (NOMs) on BDrGO performance are systematically investigated to optimize its applicable condition. It’s application in realistic water from the strawberry creek at UC Berkeley are also evaluated.

Persistent contaminants degradation and inhibition of chlorine generation by graphene-based electrodes

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.