Preparation, characterization and aplication of anodes of nominal composition Ti/RuyTi(1-y-x)SnxO2 in the degradation electrochemical of chlorophenols

Author(s)

Roberta Duarte Coteiro

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Ribeirão Preto.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC)
• Defense date: 2007-02-07

Examining board members

Adalgisa Rodrigues de Andrade; Maria Lucia Arruda de Moura Campos; Artur de Jesus Motheo; Romeu Cardozo Rocha Filho; Hebe de Las Mercedes Villullas

• Advisor: Adalgisa Rodrigues de Andrade

Abstract

In this work oxides electrodes of nominal composition Ti/RuyTi(1-y-x)SnxO2 were prepared by thermal decomposition (400 °C) by three different routes: Traditional Method using inorganic precursors dissolved in either Isopropanol (MT/ISO) or a solution of HCl 1:1 (v/v) (MT/HCl) and the Polymeric Precursors Method (MPP).Oxides coatings were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive X ray analyses and X ray Diffraction. The electrochemical characterization of the electrodes was performed by studies of potential in open circuit, service lifetime, and cyclic voltammetry in the absence and in the presence of the model pollutant 4-chlorophenol. Electrolyses of 4-chlorophenol and its main by-products were accomplished in filter-press flow cell and monitored by High Performance Liquid Chromatography, Total Organic Carbon, and analyses of chloride ions in solution, besides bacteriological toxicity tests. Results show that the preparation method influences the morphology and composition of the electrodes, but it does not affect the crystallite size. In spite of their different characteristics, MT/ISO and MPP are appropriate methods for the preparation of these electrodes because they avoid the loss of components and provide electrochemically stable coatings before the drastic conditions of electrolysis. Therefore, these electrodes can be applied in the degradation of organic pollutants. Furthermore, all the investigated electrodes are very promising for the electrochemical degradation of chlorophenols, because they present excellent activity regarding the consumption of 4-chlorophenol. Independent of the composition and the preparation method of the electrode, the by-products formed in the electrooxidation of 4-chlorophenol are hydroquinone, benzoquinone, chlorohydroquinone, and 4-chlorocatechol, as well as oxalic, maleic, malic, succinic, and malonic acids. Although the complete mineralization of the pollutant has not been reached, the toxicity of the solutions decreases considerably after the end of the electrolyses. This is because both the initial organic compound and the aromatic by-products formed in the electrolyses are degraded with excellent efficiency, especially when the anodes prepared by MT/ISO are employed. (AU)