Degradation of profenofos in an electrochemical flow reactor using boron-doped diamond anodes

A study of the electrochemical degradation of profenofos in a flow reactor with electrodes comprising boron-doped diamond films deposited on titanium substrate (BDD/Ti) as anodes has been performed. The BDD films were produced at growth times of 7 and 24 h with similar B/C ratios corresponding to acceptor concentrations of around 1020 atoms cm− 3. The morphological and structural characteristics of the BDD/Ti electrodes were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and Raman scattering spectroscopy. Degradation experiments were carried out with applied current densities in the range 10 to 200 mA cm− 2 and flow rates of 50 and 300 L h− 1. The rates of degradation of profenofos were evaluated by high performance liquid chromatography and variations in total organic carbon (TOC) were monitored during the electrochemical process in order to determine the level of mineralization of organic compounds present in the electrolyte. Under the best conditions (anode comprising a BDD film deposited on titanium for 7 h and reactor operating at a flow rate of 300 L h− 1) more than 95% of the profenofos was degraded and approximately 87% of TOC was removed within 120 min of reaction time.

► Electrochemical degradation of profenofos using boron-doped diamond electrodes
► Influence of the diamond morphology in the profenofos degradation
► Systematic HPLC analysis of the profenofos degradation to optimize the process