boron and quinone

The anodic degradation of 1,4-benzoquinone (BQ), one of the most toxic xenobiotic, was investigated by electrochemical oxidation at boron-doped diamond anode. The electrolyses have been performed in a single-compartment flow cell in galvanostatic conditions. The influence of applied current (0.5-2 A), BQ concentration (1-2 g dm(-3)), temperature (20-45 °C) and flow rate (100-300 dm(3) h(-1)) has been studied. BQ decay kinetic, the evolution of its oxidation intermediates and the mineralization of the aqueous solutions were monitored during the electrolysis by high-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) measurements. The results obtained show that the use of diamond anode leads to total mineralization of BQ in any experimental conditions due to the production of oxidant hydroxyl radicals electrogenerated from water discharge. The decay kinetics of BQ removal follows a pseudo-first-order reaction, and the rate constant increases with rising current density. The COD removal rate was favoured by increasing of applied current, recirculating flow rate and it is almost unaffected by solution temperature.

Topics: Benzoquinones; Biological Oxygen Demand Analysis; Boron; Diamond; Electrodes; Electrolysis; Hydroxyl Radical; Kinetics; Oxidants; Oxidation-Reduction; Temperature; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Water Purification

The electrochemical oxidation of pesticide, o-nitrophenol (ONP) as one kind of pesticide that is potentially dangerous and biorefractory, was studied by galvanostatic electrolysis using boron-doped diamond (BDD) as anode. The influence of several operating parameters, such as applied current density, supporting electrolyte, and initial pH value, was investigated. The best degradation occurred in the presence of Na2SO4 (0.05 M) as conductive electrolyte. After 8h, nearly complete degradation of o-nitrophenol was achieved (92%) using BDD electrodes at pH 3 and at current density equals 60 mA cm(-2). The decay kinetics of o-nitrophenol follows a pseudo-first-order reaction. Aromatic intermediates such as catechol, resorcinol, 1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene, hydroquinone and benzoquinone and carboxylic acids such as maleic glycolic, malonic, glyoxilic and oxalic, have been identified and followed during the ONP treatment by chromatographic techniques. From these anodic oxidation by-products, a plausible reaction sequence for ONP mineralization on BDD anodes is proposed.

Topics: Benzoquinones; Boron; Carboxylic Acids; Catechols; Diamond; Electrodes; Electrolysis; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Hydroquinones; Kinetics; Models, Chemical; Nitrophenols; Oxygen; Pesticides; Resorcinols; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Water Purification

The electrochemical behaviour of a synthetic boron-doped diamond thin film electrode (BDD) has been studied in acid media containing phenol using cyclic voltammetry and bulk electrolysis. The results have shown that in the potential region of water stability direct electron transfers can occur on BDD surface resulting in electrode fouling due to the formation of a polymeric film on its surface. During electrolysis in the potential region of oxygen evolution, complex oxidation reactions can take place due to electrogenerated hydroxyl radicals. Electrode fouling is inhibited under these conditions. Depending on the experimental conditions, the electrogenerated hydroxyl radicals can lead to the combustion of phenol or to the selective oxidation of phenol to benzoquinone. The experimental results have also been compared to a theoretical model that permits the prediction of the evolution with time of phenol concentration, during its combustion, or during its selective oxidation to benzoquinone.

Topics: Benzoquinones; Boron; Diamond; Electrochemistry; Electrodes; Models, Chemical; Oxidation-Reduction; Phenol; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Water Purification