In situ microwave-enhanced electrochemical reactions at stainless steel: Nano-iron for aqueous pollutant degradation

• Iron nanoparticles have been obtained by microwave-activated electro-reduction onto a stainless steel microelectrode.
• In situ generated nano-iron has been studied for the cathodic degradation of trichloroacetic acid in aqueous solution
• There is a difference in reactivity of pure iron and stainless steel towards degradation of trichloroacetic acid.
• The method could be useful for a wider range of processes based on highly reactive iron nanoparticles.

Iron nanoparticle deposition and stripping are observed from aqueous Fe2 + solution at pH 3 on stainless electrodes in the presence of focused microwave activation. The effects of Fe2 + concentration and microwave power are evaluated. It is shown that the resulting iron nanoparticle deposit (i) gives well-defined anodic stripping responses, (ii) is readily released into the solution phase, and (iii) is highly reactive towards chlorinated hydrocarbons such as trichloroacetate. The combined effects of increased mass transport and localized microwave heating improve pollutant degradation treatments.

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