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Dechlorination by combined electrochemical reduction and oxidation

  • Environmental Sciences
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Abstract

Chlorophenols are typical priority pollutants listed by USEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). The removal of chlorophenol could be carried out by a combination of electrochemical reduction and oxidation method. Results showed that it was feasible to degrade contaminants containing chlorine atoms by electrochemical reduction to form phenol, which was further degraded on the anode by electrochemical oxidation. Chlorophenol removal rate was more than 90% by the combined electrochemical reduction and oxidation at current of 6 mA and pH 6. The hydrogen atom is a powerful reducing agent that reductively dechlorinates chlorophenols. The instantaneous current efficiency was calculated and the results indicated that cathodic reduction was the main contributor to the degradation of chlorophenol.

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Correspondence to Zu-cheng Wu.

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Project supported by the Foundation of Education Ministry of China (No. 98679) and the Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province (No. 200043), China

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Cong, Yq., Wu, Zc. & Tan, Te. Dechlorination by combined electrochemical reduction and oxidation. J Zheijang Univ Sci B 6, 563–568 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.2005.B0563

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.2005.B0563

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