ELECTROCHEMICAL DETECTION AND CATALYTIC OXIDATION OF AROMATIC POLLUTANTS IN WASTEWATER

ZHANG YI

Publication

ELECTROCHEMICAL DETECTION AND CATALYTIC OXIDATION OF AROMATIC POLLUTANTS IN WASTEWATER

ZHANG YI

Abstract

Phenol and aniline are common aromatic pollutants in wastewaters. Herein, we developed a treatment strategy with H2O2 and iron-tetraamidomacrocyclic ligand (Fe-TAML) catalyst, based on oligomerization of phenol or aniline into oligomers. Through coagulation, oligomers aggregate and form insoluble particles, allowing us to remove not only the pollutant but also total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN). For 1000 ppm of aniline, only 2 ppm Fe-TAML and 800 ppm H2O2 are needed to reduce aniline below 27 ppm. To complement the treatment strategy, we also developed electrochemical sensors based on square wave voltammetry and amperometry for phenol and aniline detection in real time. Such information is important for process optimization and minimization of chemical usage. With a pre-concentration step with an 0.8-V applied voltage on a graphite electrode, 0.1 ppb of phenol and aniline can be detected. The strategy with minimal chemical usage is potentially useful for industrial wastewater treatment.