Nitrogen-Doped Graphitized Carbon Electrodes for Biorefractory Pollutant Removal

A novel material was fabricated by deposition of graphitized nitrogen-doped porous carbon layer (NPC) on commercial carbon felt (CF). The NPC was obtained via atomic layer deposition of zinc oxide (ZnO) and its subsequent solvothermal conversion to zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8) followed by its carbonization under controlled atmosphere. Both physical and electrochemical properties have been evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, nitrogen sorption, contact angle, and cyclic voltammetry measurements. The parameters affecting the growth of NPC, such as the amount of ZnO/ZIF-8 material before calcination and thermal treatment temperature, have been investigated in detail. The versatility of the as-prepared NPC/CF material was assessed by studying (i) its adsorption ability and/or (ii) its behavior as cathode in electro-Fenton process (EF) for the elimination of a model refractory pollutan...