Electrochemical oxidation of urea in aqueous solutions using a boron-doped thin-film diamond electrode

The bulk electrolysis tests have shown that the complete removal of urea and TOC can only be achieved using a boron-doped diamond and that Pt, the Ti-Ru oxide and antimony-doped tin oxide only permit a partial oxidation of urea. On the basis of the TOC evolution and the identification of the organic intermediates and inorganic ions released during the treatment, a total mineralization has been proposed. Finally, electrolysis has been performed in the presence of chloride ions, which act as oxidation mediator, and a comparison has been done between direct and mediated electro-oxidation.