Removing organic contaminants by an electro-Fenton system constructed with graphene cathode

ABSTRACTThe aim of the present investigation was to examine the use of a new electro-catalysis material graphene for electro-Fenton (EF) system to attain a more efficient degradation of organic contaminants, which adversely affect the aqueous ecosystem. The degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB), a toxic azo dye, using EF system was determined in an electrolysis cell with a fabricated graphene cathode. The electro-catalytic behavior of graphene cathode exposed to a 10 g/L disodium sulfate (Na2SO4) solution was studied utilizing cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy methods. Results demonstrated that the EF system based on the graphene cathode effectively degraded RhB in situ by ultimately generating both hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and hydroxyl radicals (·OH). The breakdown of RhB was determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and total organic carbon analysis, and data showed that the RhB was oxidized to some small molecules including carbon dioxide, carboxylic acids, and amines.