Sodium niobate electrodes decorated with WO3 and CeO2 for degradation of the organophosphate pesticide acephate by advanced oxidative electrochemical processes

• Grant number: 20/14100-0
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): May 01, 2021
• Effective date (End): April 30, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Sanitary Engineering - Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment
• Principal researcher: Marcos Roberto de Vasconcelos Lanza
• Grantee: Felipe de Moura Souza
• Home Institution: Instituto de Química de São Carlos (IQSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 17/10118-0 - Study and application of electrochemical technology for the analysis and degradation of endocrine interferents: materials, sensors, processes and scientific dissemination, AP.TEM

Abstract

Brazil has exponentially increased the number of pesticides released for use in agriculture in recent years. Many of these pesticides are extremely dangerous for our ecosystem. This work aims to develop a viable alternative for the treatment of effluents contaminated with the organophosphate pesticide acephate, using advanced oxidative electrochemical processes (AOEP). The modification of Vulcan XC72 carbon with sodium niobate (NaNbO3) microcubes is an interesting electrocatalyst for research to mineralize this pollutant because Brazil has the largest world reserve of Niobium. A gas diffusion electrode (EDG) for the production of hydroxyl radical (HO.), from the oxygen reduction reaction (RRO) and the Electro-Fenton reaction, will be used to degrade this pollutant. The project intends to synthesize, characterize, investigate, apply electrocatalysts for acephate mining with subsequent monitoring of the process efficiency. Therefore, it is hoped that through this study, Brazilian science can make technological materials feasible to minimize the effects of increased use of Acephate in Brazilian agriculture. (AU)