Title: Hydroxyl radical production in electrochemical reactor

Authors: Daewon Pak, Santha Chakrovortty

Addresses: Graduate School of Energy and Environment, Seoul National University of Technology, 172 Gongneung-2 Dong, Nowon-Gu, Seoul, 139-743, Korea. ' Water Environment & Remediation Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 131, Cheongrang, Seoul 130 650, Korea

Abstract: OH radical production during electrolysis of water was monitored to show that it could be involved in an indirect oxidation of pollutants in electrochemical wastewater treatment. The OH radical concentration in the electrochemical reactor was measured by using a probe compound, p-chlorobenzoate (pCBA). Titanium and titanium coated with RuO₂/PtO₂ were used as a cathode and an anode, respectively, in the electrochemical reactor. OH radicals were produced during electrolysis of water. Factors affecting OH radical production were investigated to be used in designing the electrochemical reactor. Those were the gap between the anode and cathode, reaction temperature, applied voltage and electrical conductivity.

Keywords: OH radicals; pCBA; Ti/RuO₂/PtO₂; electrolysis; hydroxyl radical production; electrochemical reactors; electrochemical wastewater treatment; pollutant oxidation; titanium; reaction temperature; applied voltage; electrical conductivity.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2006.010462

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2006 Vol.27 No.1/2/3, pp.195 - 203

Published online: 24 Jul 2006 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article