Efficient photoelectrochemical reduction of nitrite to ammonium and nitrogen containing gaseous species using Ti/TiO2 nanotube electrodes

Author(s)

Fabiana A. Sayão ^[1] ; Luciana Nuñez ^[2] ; Maria V. B. Zanoni ^[3]

Affiliation

^[1] Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho. Instituto de Química de Araraquara - Brasil

^[2] Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho. Instituto de Química de Araraquara - Brasil

^[3] Univ Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho UN, Inst Quim Araraquara, BR-14800900 Araraquara, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society; v. 25, n. 7, p. 1153-1160, 2014-07-00.

Abstract

The present work describes a suitable method for removing nitrite contaminant from water by using a photoelectrocatalytical method. A Ti/TiO2 nanotube electrode was used as a cathode under UV irradiation and applied potential of -0.2 V vs. Ag/AgCl and it led to 100% of nitrite removal after 6 min of photoelectrolysis conducted in NaCl 7 mmol L-1, pH 7 and in absence of dissolved oxygen. Nitrite reduction on Ti/TiO2 photoelectrodes occurs in the cathodic compartment cell via electrons generated when the electrode is under UV irradiation leading to a generation of 7% of remaining ammonium and 93% nitrogen containing gaseous species after 6 min of treatment. The results indicate that the method could be an efficient tool for the treatment of nitrite in water containing nitrite. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 08/10449-7 - Assessment of occurrence, toxicity/genotoxicity and degradation processes of dyes in effluents and surface water
• Grantee: Maria Valnice Boldrin
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants