Electrochemical properties of the erbium-chitosan-fluorine-modified PbO2 electrode for the degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol in aqueous solution.

The erbium (Er)-chitosan-fluorine (F) modified PbO(2) electrode was prepared by electrodeposition method, and its use for adsorption and electrochemical degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) in aqueous solution was compared with F-PbO(2) and Er-F-PbO(2) electrodes in a batch experiment. The electrodes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and cyclic voltammetry. Degradation of 2,4-DCP depending on Er and chitosan contents was discussed. The results showed that Er(2)O(3) and chitosan were scattered between the prevailing crystal structure of beta-PbO(2) and thus decreased the internal stress of PbO(2) film. Prior to each electrolysis, the modified PbO(2) anode was first pre-saturated with 2,4-DCP solution for 360 min to preclude the 2,4-DCP decrease due to adsorption. Among the electrodes examined in our study, the highest adsorption and electrochemical degradation for 2,4-DCP and TOC removals that are due to oxidation and adsorption of the organic products onto the chitosan was observed on Er-chitosan-F-PbO(2) electrode. At an applied current density of 5 mAcm(-2), the removal percentages of 2,4-DCP and TOC (solution volume: 180 mL, initial 2,4-DCP concentration: 90 mgL(-1)) were 95% after 120 min and 53% after 360 min, respectively. At Er amount of 10mM in the precursor coating solution, the degradation and mineralization removal for 2,4-DCP on the Er-F-PbO(2) electrode reached a maximum. At chitosan amount of 5 gL(-1), the highest TOC removal on the Er-chitosan-F-PbO(2) electrode was observed. Intermediates mainly including aliphatic carboxylic acids were examined and a possible degradation pathway for 2,4-DCP in aqueous solution involving dechlorination and hydroxylation reactions was proposed. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.