Electrochemical oxidation of PAHs in aqueous solution

In this work, oxidation of PAHs in aqueous solution was studied using Ti/SnO2electrode. Electrochemical oxidation was performed at a current density of 0.33mA/cm2at initial pH 3, 6, and 9. Brush coating thermal decomposition method was used to coat SnO2on titanium substrate. Surface morphology and characterization of coating material were studied using FESEM. GC-MS was used to quantify PAHs. PAHs containing 2�3 benzene rings were completely degraded in the presence of electrolyte (NaCl) at all pH condition. Total PAH removal was 87, 93, and 87 at pH 3, 6, and 9, respectively. Higher current efficiency was shown using NaCl as electrolyte. © Springer Science+Business Media New York 2013.