Prof. Brian P. Chaplin, Villanova University
April 30, 2013
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Electrochemical Oxidation in Wastewater Treatment
Abstract:
Electrochemical oxidation is an emerging advanced oxidation process with many applications in water treatment, including organic compound oxidation, pathogen inactivation, and on-site generation of oxidants. The recent surge in research activity in these areas has been facilitated by the development of stable electrode materials, namely boron-doped diamond (BDD) and Ti4O7 electrodes. Several important advantages of BDD and Ti4O7 electrodes over traditional electrode materials have stimulated this growing scientific interest. These advantages include high stability under anodic polarization, suppression of water electrolysis reactions, and chemical inertness. However, a detailed understanding of oxidation processes at the electrode/solution interface is still lacking. In this talk I will discuss our ongoing research efforts aimed at understanding the mechanisms of electrochemical oxidation at the electrode/solution interface. A combination of electrochemical oxidation experiments, electrochemical measurements, and density functional theory (DFT) modeling was used to develop a mechanistic understanding of the oxidation of compounds at the electrode surface. Results from this work are used to develop new electrodes will high reactivity towards water contaminants, while limiting undesirable byproduct formation. Additional work will also be presented on recent efforts focused on the development of reactive electrochemical membranes. The goal of this work is to develop a new technology that combines filtration and advanced oxidation into a single technology. The various applications of this new technology will be discussed in the context of water treatment.
Date posted
Jun 17, 2019
Date updated
Jun 17, 2019