Electrochemical degradation of malachite green with BDD electrodes: Effect of electrochemical parameters

•This is the first paper of the degradation of Malachite Green by using BDD electrode.•We use BDD as anode and a stainless steel cathode.•We examine effect of different parameters on the degradation.•COD removal are also studied.

The dye malachite green (MG) has found extensive use all over the world in the fish farming industry as a fungicide. It has been suspected to be genotoxic and carcinogenic and it has now become a highly controversial compound due to the risks it poses to the consumers of treated fish. In this context, electrochemical oxidation of malachite green (MG) has been studied on a one-compartment batch reactor employing a boron-doped diamond (BDD) as anode and a stainless steel as cathode. The effects of several experimental parameters, such as current density, pH initial and supporting electrolyte were investigated. The optimal conditions were determined such as a current intensity of 32 mA cm− 2, strongly acidic pH (pH = 3), and Na2SO4 as a good supporting electrolyte. Under these conditions, a degradation efficiency of 98% was obtained after 60 min of electrolysis and 91% of chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal after 180 min of electrolysis.

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