A combined photolytic–electrolytic system for the simultaneous recovery of copper and degradation of phenol or 4-chlorophenol in mixed solutions

The effects of the presence of copper on the photooxidation of phenol and 4-chlorophenol and of the presence of the phenols on the recovery of copper by electrodeposition are studied in three systems: a photolytic cell in the presence and absence of TiO2 as a catalyst or H2O2 as an oxidant; an electrolytic cell and a combined photolytic–electrolytic system. The optimum system for the simultaneous removal of copper and destruction of the phenols which overcomes the effects of copper–phenol reactions is a combined system with concentrator electrode technology incorporated into the electrolytic cell. This combined system achieves >99% removal of copper and destruction of phenol or 4-chlorophenol in an 8 h period.