Electrochemical oxidation of phenol for wastewater treatment using Ti/PbO₂ electrode

The electrochemical oxidation of phenol was studied using a Ti/PbO2 electrode prepared by the electrodeposition method with PbO2 coated on Ti. The structural and morphological activity of Ti/PbO2 was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), and intermediates formed after degradation of phenol were quantitatively assessed by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Optimization of various parameters such as current density, initial phenol concentration, initial solution pH, and different temperature and dose of Fe2+ on electrochemical degradation of phenol using Ti/PbO2 were investigated. Complete removal of phenol (250 mgL-1) was observed at 50°C, potential difference (5 V), and at pH 2. Experimental results showed that the phenol removal rate increased with increasing current intensity along with significant reduction in total organic carbon (TOC). Fundamental kinetic data obtained for the degradation of phenol by Ti/PbO2 was found to follow in accordance with the zero-order kinetics with respect to the phenol concentration. This paper is expected to be useful for the development of electrochemical process using Ti/PbO2 for the degradation of phenol containing wastewater.