Oxidation of 4-chlorophenol at boron-doped diamond electrode for wastewater treatment

The electrochem. behavior of synthetic B-doped diamond thin-film electrode (BDD) was studied in acid media contg. 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) by cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and bulk electrolysis. The results showed that in the potential region of supporting electrolyte stability occur reactions involving the oxidn. of 4-CP to phenoxy radical and 1,4-benzoquinone. Polymeric materials, which result in electrode fouling, are also formed in this potential region. Electrolysis at high anodic potentials, in the region of electrolyte decompn., complex oxidn. reactions can take place involving electro-generated hydroxyl radicals, leading to the complete incineration of 4-chlorophenol. Electrode fouling is inhibited under these conditions. The exptl. results were compared with a theor. model. This model is based on the assumption that the rate of the anodic oxidn. of 4-CP is a fast reaction. HPLC analyses revealed that the main intermediate products of 4-CP oxidn. were 1,4-benzoquinone, maleic acid, formic acid, and oxalic acid. [on SciFinder (R)]