Coupling of anodic and cathodic reactions for phenol electro-oxidation using three-dimensional electrodes.

We studied the electrochemical oxidation of phenol by the coupling of anodic and cathodic reactions. The experiments were done in an electrochemical filter press cell equipped with an Sb-doped SnO2-coated titanium foam and a RVC cathode. The oxidation occurs by a direct oxidation on the anodic side, while on the cathodic side oxidation occurs via an electro-Fenton mechanism. We studied the influence of the working parameters. The electrical yield increases when pH decreases and is strongly dependent on an optimum between current density, iron and dissolved oxygen concentration. This method may be applicable to refractory compounds.