UV/H2O2 degradation of diclofenac in a photocatalytic fuel cell

University of Patras researchers have developed an integrated reactor which could photoelectrocatalytically generate hydrogen peroxide under solar radiation and simultaneously degrade a recalcitrant pollutant by the UV/H2O2 process. This work, which was published in Applied Catalysis B: Environmental journal, was performed in the framework of the H2020 MSCA-ETN InnovEOX project. Main author: InnovEOX researcher Rebecca Dhawle.

The purpose of this work was to construct an integrated reactor which could photoelectrocatalytically generate hydrogen peroxide under solar radiation and simultaneously degrade a recalcitrant pollutant by the UV/H₂O₂ process. Diclofenac has been chosen as water soluble model pollutant. Hydrogen peroxide has been produced by atmospheric oxygen reduction in a photocatalytic fuel cell. The cell comprised a transparent photoanode electrode bearing a combined CdS/TiO₂ photocatalyst and a carbon cloth cathode bearing nanoparticulate carbon without any other electrocatalyst. Diclofenac was dissolved in the cathode compartment where hydrogen peroxide was generated and the pollutant was degraded by UV radiation support. Degradation was monitored by UV–Vis spectrophotometry and by high performance liquid chromatography. The results show that an integrated reactor functionality is realistic and effective and it provides an alternative route for sustainable operation aiming at environmental remediation.

Full reference paper

R.Dhawle, D.Mantzavinos, P.Lianos, UV/H2O2 degradation of diclofenac in a photocatalytic fuel cell, Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 2021, DOI:10.1016/j.apcatb.2021.120706

Acknowledgements

This project has received funding from the European Union’s EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon 2020 under Grant Agreement No 861369.