The presence of perchlorate in water supplies may have deleterious human health effects. Electrochemical and electrophotocatalytic reduction of the perchlorate ion to the chloride ion were assessed at laboratory scale. Studies were carried out in two-chambered batch reactor systems in which the cathodic and anodic compartments were separated by an ion exchange membrane. Electrodes consisted of titanium coated with a thin film of small TiO2 particles. Test water systems were buffered to an acid pH and a background electrolyte was added. Applied voltages ranged from −1.75 to −2.0 v. For photolytic systems, ultraviolet light was supplied. Initial perchlorate concentrations ranged from 5×10−2 M to 5×10−7 M. Reduction initially proceeded rapidly but slowed with time. The percentage of perchlorate electrochemically reduced after 2 h was found to range from less than 1% at the highest concentration to 30–35% at lower concentrations. The extent of photocatalytic reduction at high perchlorate concentrations was approximately five times greater than for electrochemical reduction at the same concentrations. An additional fourfold improvement in reduction percentage was noted when the electrode was doped with vanadium. A mathematical model suggested that the limiting factor in perchlorate reduction was competition among anions for active sites on the electrode surface. Application of this technology for decontamination of water supplies will require further advances in electrode technology and/or innovations in engineering design.
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November 2002
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Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua
Article Contents
Research Article|
November 01 2002
Electrochemical and photocatalytic reduction of perchlorate ion
Thomas L. Theis;
Thomas L. Theis
1Center for Environmental Management, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY 13699-5715, USA Present address: Director, Institute for Environmental Science and Policy, University of Illinois at Chicago, 2121 West Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60612-7260, USA
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Amy K. Zander;
2Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY 13699-5710, USA
Tel: 315-268-6532 Fax: 315-268-7985; E-mail: [email protected]
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Xiang Li;
Xiang Li
2Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY 13699-5710, USA
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Jeosadaque Sene;
Jeosadaque Sene
3Environmental Chemistry Program, University of Wisconsin, 660 N. Park Street, Madison, WI 53706, USA
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Marc A. Anderson
Marc A. Anderson
3Environmental Chemistry Program, University of Wisconsin, 660 N. Park Street, Madison, WI 53706, USA
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Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua (2002) 51 (7): 367–374.
Citation
Thomas L. Theis, Amy K. Zander, Xiang Li, Jeosadaque Sene, Marc A. Anderson; Electrochemical and photocatalytic reduction of perchlorate ion. Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua 1 November 2002; 51 (7): 367–374. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/aqua.2002.0033
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