A highly efficient cathode based on modified graphite felt for aniline degradation by electro-Fenton

Area of Science:

• Environmental Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry

Background:

• Graphite felt (GF) is a common electrode material but requires modification to enhance its performance in electrochemical applications.
• Improving specific surface area, hydrophilicity, and electrocatalytic activity is crucial for efficient electrogeneration of hydrogen peroxide.

Purpose of the Study:

• To modify graphite felt (GF) using concentrated sulfuric acid, potassium permanganate, and ammonia activation to create a modified graphite felt (M-GF).
• To enhance the specific surface area, hydrophilicity, and electrocatalytic activity of GF for hydrogen peroxide electrogeneration.
• To investigate the application of M-GF in the electro-Fenton (EF) process for aniline mineralization.

Main Methods:

• Surface modification of graphite felt using acid, oxidant, and base activation.
• Characterization of M-GF using techniques including contact angle, SEM, XPS, Raman spectroscopy, CV, and EIS.
• Electrochemical evaluation of H2O2 generation and aniline degradation using the EF process.

Main Results:

• Surface modification significantly altered the physicochemical properties and morphology of the graphite felt.
• M-GF exhibited a higher H2O2 generation efficiency (478.6 mg/L) compared to GF (276.5 mg/L) after 360 min.
• M-GF achieved 97% aniline mineralization in the EF process and demonstrated good stability over 10 degradation cycles.

Conclusions:

• The activated M-GF is a superior cathode material for enhanced hydrogen peroxide electrogeneration.
• M-GF effectively promotes the degradation and mineralization of organic pollutants like aniline via the EF process.
• The developed M-GF shows significant potential as a stable and efficient material for advanced oxidation processes in wastewater treatment.