Photovoltaic Electrochemically Driven Degradation of Calcon Dye with Simultaneous Green Hydrogen Production

Author(s)

Cardozo, Jussara Camara ; da Silva, Djalma R. ; Martinez-Huitle, Carlos A. ; Quiroz, Marco A. ; Dos Santos, Elisama, V

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: MATERIALS; v. 15, n. 21, p. 25-pg., 2022-11-01.

Abstract

In this study, for the first time, the production of green hydrogen gas (H-2) in the cathodic compartment, in concomitance with the electrochemical oxidation (EO) of an aqueous solution containing Calcon dye at the anodic compartment, was studied in a PEM-type electrochemical cell driven by a photovoltaic (PV) energy source. EO of Calcon was carried out on a Nb/BDD anode at different current densities (7.5, 15 and 30 mA cm(-2)), while a stainless steel (SS) cathode was used for green H-2 production. The results of the analysis by UV-vis spectroscopy and total organic carbon (TOC) clearly showed that the electrochemical oxidation (EO) of the Calcon dye after 180 min of electrolysis time by applying 30 mA cm(-2) reached up to 90% of degradation and 57% of TOC removal. Meanwhile, under these experimental conditions, a green H-2 production greater than 0.9 L was achieved, with a Faradaic efficiency of 98%. The hybrid electrolysis strategy is particularly attractive in the context of a circular economy, as these can be coupled with the use of more complex water matrices to transform organic depollution into an energy resource to produce H-2 as a chemical energy carrier. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/50945-4 - INCT 2014: National Institute for Alternative Technologies of Detection, Toxicological Evaluation and Removal of Micropollutants and Radioactivies
• Grantee: Maria Valnice Boldrin
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants