Sustainable ferrocene for enhanced heterogeneous photoelectro-Fenton: A novel application in gas diffusion electrodes

Author(s)

Santos, Gessica O. S. ; Sanchez-Montes, Isaac ; Cordeiro-Junior, Paulo Jorge M. ; Silva, Taynara O. ; Rodrigo, Manuel A. ; Lanza, Marcos R. V.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING; v. 13, n. 2, p. 14-pg., 2025-04-01.

Abstract

In the present work, the development of a low-cost ferrocene (Fc)-modified gas diffusion electrode (GDE) and its effective application for the treatment of paracetamol-contaminated water have been demonstrated. The electrochemical characterization using the rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE) technique showed a slight decrease in the amount of H2O2 detected, probably due to the catalytic conversion of H2O2 to center dot OH by the Fc, which increased the degradation efficiency. Among the current densities tested, 7.5 mA cm-2 was found to be the most efficient for paracetamol degradation, balancing energy consumption and treatment efficacy. The addition of UV-A irradiation further enhanced the degradation performance, especially at higher Fc content (15 % Fc-GDE), due to the generation of additional center dot OH species by the interaction between Fc and UV-A light. However, the 5 % FcGDE proved to be the most cost-effective and efficient electrode, demonstrating optimal energy utilization and total organic carbon (TOC) removal. The low iron leaching observed with the 5 % Fc-GDE (0.06 mg L-1) highlights its suitability for sustainable, large-scale applications in neutral water matrices, ensuring safe and efficient degradation of pharmaceutical contaminants for potential reuse, such as in agricultural irrigation. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 20/02743-4 - Fe/RuO2-TiO2 films supported on carbon felt for norfloxacin degradation by heterogeneous electro-fenton process
• Grantee: Géssica de Oliveira Santiago Santos
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 18/22210-0 - EMU granted in process 2017/10118-0: liquid chromatograph (HPLC)
• Grantee: Marcos Roberto de Vasconcelos Lanza
• Support Opportunities: Multi-user Equipment Program
• FAPESP's process: 22/03386-6 - Treatment of VOCs by a combined absorption and heterogeneous electron-Fenton using iron-modified cathodes
• Grantee: Géssica de Oliveira Santiago Santos
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• FAPESP's process: 19/06650-3 - EMU granted in the 2017/10118-0 process: potentiostat system with impedance module
• Grantee: Marcos Roberto de Vasconcelos Lanza
• Support Opportunities: Multi-user Equipment Program
• FAPESP's process: 18/22022-0 - EMU granted in the 2017/10118-0 process: spectroelectrochemistry system
• Grantee: Marcos Roberto de Vasconcelos Lanza
• Support Opportunities: Multi-user Equipment Program
• FAPESP's process: 16/19612-4 - Degradation of endocrine disruptors carbofuran, methylparaben and propylparaben via electrogenerated H2O2 and associated processes (electrogenerated H2O2/UV, electro-Fenton e photoelectro-Fenton)
• Grantee: Paulo Jorge Marques Cordeiro Junior
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 22/12895-1 - Advanced processes for the degradation of emerging pollutants: catalytic materials, electroanalytical sensors and scientific dissemination
• Grantee: Marcos Roberto de Vasconcelos Lanza
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 20/07351-7 - Advanced oxidation processes based on the in situ activation of oxidants via UVC and solar radiation for the simultaneous elimination of microcontaminants and pathogens
• Grantee: Isaac José Sánchez Montes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 22/07227-0 - Gas diffusion electrode based on carbon modified with benzophenone applied to co-generation of oxidants radicals in a reactor cell
• Grantee: Taynara Oliveira Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 18/22211-7 - EMU granted in process 2017/10118-0: total organic carbon analyzer (TOC)
• Grantee: Marcos Roberto de Vasconcelos Lanza
• Support Opportunities: Multi-user Equipment Program