Electrochemical incineration of 1,2-dichloroethane: Effect of the electrode material

The electrochemical incineration of 1,2-dichloroethane (EDC) at Pt, Au, boron-doped diamond (BDD), Ebonex, stainless steel, Ti/IrO2–Ta2O5 and PbO2 has been studied in acid media by cyclic voltammetry and bulk electrolysis. It has been shown that the performances of the process dramatically depend on the anodic material. Higher current efficiencies were obtained at BDD. In particular, at proper values of applied current density, it is possible to obtain the almost complete conversion of EDC to CO2 at BDD with current efficiencies higher than 40%.