The removal of low level organics via hydrogen peroxide formed in a reticulated vitreous carbon cathode cell, part 1. the electrosynthesis of hydrogen peroxide in aqueous acidic solutions

摘要

It is demonstrated that hydrogen peroxide can be produced with a current efficiency of 40-70% by the reduction of oxygen at a reticulated vitreous carbon cathode in a divided flow cell using catholytes consisting of aqueous chloride or sulfatemedia, pH≈2. The influence of ferrous salts, potential and electrolyte concentration on the current efficiency and rate of H{sub}2O{sub}2 production is reported; ferrous ions can lead to the homogeneous decomposition of H{sub}2O{sub}2 away from thecathode surface but their effectiveness as a catalyst for this decomposition depends on their speciation in solution which changes during an electrolysis. The conclusions are supported by voltammetry at both a rotating vitreous carbon disc and thereticulated vitreous carbon electrodes.