Electrochemical treatment of wastewater containing chlorophenols using boron-doped diamond film electrodes

The electrochemical treatment of wastewater containing chlorophenols （2-monochlorophenol, 4-monochlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol） was carried out experimentally with synthetic boron-d0ped diamond （BDD） thin film electrodes. Current vs time curves under different cell voltages were measured. Removal rate of COD, instant current efficiency （ICE） and energy consumption were investigated under different current densities. The influence of supporting media is reported, which plays an important role in determining the global oxidation rate. The oxidative chloride is stronger than peroxodisulphate. The electrochemical characteristics of boron-doped diamond electrodes were investigated in comparison with active coating Ti substrate anode （ACT）. The experimental results show that BDD is markedly superior to ACT due to its different absorption properties.

Effect of Electrochemical Treatment in Aqueous Ammonium Bicarbonate on Surface Properties of PAN-based Carbon Fibers

The surface properties of PAN-based carbon fibers electrochemically treated in aqueous ammonium bicarbonate before and after treatment were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Dynamic Contact Angle Analysis (DCAA). The results of characterization indicated that the oxygen and nitrogen contents in carbon fiber surface were significantly increased by electrochemical treatment, and amide groups was introduced onto it, which was related with the electrolyte. The AFM photographs illustrated that the roughness of the fiber surface was also increased. The wettibality of the fibers was improved after treatment because the surface energy especially the polar part of it was increased.

Antitumor effects of electrochemical treatment

Electrochemical treatment is an alternative modality for tumor treatment based on the application of a low intensity direct electric current to the tumor tissue through two or more platinum electrodes placed within the tumor zone or in the surrounding areas. This treatment is noted for its great effectiveness, minimal invasiveness and local effect. Several studies have been conducted worldwide to evaluate the anfitumoral effect of this therapy. In all these studies a variety of biochemical and physiological responses of tumors to the applied treatment have been obtained. By this reason, researchers have suggested various mechanisms to explain how direct electric current destroys tumor ceils. Although, it is generally accepted this treatment induces electrolysis, electroosmosis and electroporation in tumoral tissues. However, action mechanism of this alternative modality on the tumor tissue is not well understood. Although the principle of Electrochemical treatment is simple, a standardized method is not yet available. The mechanism by which Electrochemical treatment affects tumor growth and survival may represent more complex process. The present work analyzes the latest and most important research done on the electrochemical treatment of tumors. We conclude with our point of view about the destruction mechanism features of this alternative therapy. Also, we suggest some mechanisms and strategies from the thermodynamic point of view for this therapy. In the area of Electrochemical treatment of cancer this tool has been exploited very little and much work remains to be done. Electrochemical treatment constitutes a good therapeutic option for patients that have failed the conventional oncology methods.

Effects of Electrochemical Treatment on the Superficial Properties of Rayon-based Carbon Fibers

The development of surface acidity on rayon-based carbon fibers during mild electrochemical treatment was investigated. Conductimetric titration was the primary method used to investigate the functionalities on the carbon fiber surface. The acidity on the surface of the untreated carbon fiber was very low, while for the treated fibers, the acidity increased significantly.Moreover, with the treatment extent proceeded, the acidity on the fiber surface also increased. SEM analysis shows electrochemical treatment under intense treatment degree caused considerable etch on the fiber surface.Cavities and grooves can be observed on the surface via the SEM microphotograph. While in a more mild treatment, electrochemical treatment didn't cause great etch on the surface of the fiber.

EFFECTIVENESS OF ELECTROCHEMICAL TREATMENT OF PRIMARY PULMONARY MALIGNANT TUMORS

Electrochemical therapy is a new therapy for the treatment of cancer.From January 1989 to November 1991

Electrochemical creation of surface charge transfer channels on photoanodes for efficient solar water splitting

Electrochemical treatment is a popular and efficient method for improving the photoelectrochemical performance of water‐splitting photoelectrodes.In our previous study,the electrochemical activation of Mo‐doped BiVO_(4) electrodes was ascribed to the removal of MoO_(x) segregations,which are considered to be surface recombination centers for photoinduced electrons and holes.However,this proposed mechanism cannot explain why activated Mo‐doped BiVO_(4) electrodes gradually lose their activity when exposed to air.In this study,based on various characterizations,it is suggested that electrochemical treatment not only removes partial MoO_(x) segregations but also initiates the formation of H_(y)MoO_(x) surface defects,which provide charge transfer channels for photogenerated holes.The charge separation of the Mo‐doped BiVO_(4) electrode was significantly enhanced by these charge transfer channels.This study offers a new insight into the electrochemical activation of Mo‐doped BiVO_(4) photoanodes,and the new concept of surface charge transfer channels,a long overlooked factor,will be valuable for the development of other(photo)electrocatalytic systems.

CVD SiC Fiber Electrochemically Treated by AC Current

The tensile strength of CVD SiC fiber was remarkably improved by electrochemical surface treatment. SEM analyses reveal that AC current treatment could form a more compact and complete SiO2 layer than DC current on the surface of the SiC fiber, which was beneficial to the improvement of tensile strength. It was also verified that AC current was more effective for producing high performance SiC fiber with SiO2 surface layer than DC current. The frequency is a sensitive parameter for the process; but the signals of input current had relatively small effect on the tensile strength of SiC fiber. A further discussion for this phenomenon was completed. The proposed operational parameters are 0.3 A, 5 kHz of sine wave and 91 m/h of the receiving rate respectively.

Development of high quality Fe_3O_4/rGO composited electrode for low energy water treatment

Electrochemical water treatment is an attractive technology for water desalination and softening due to its low energy consumption. Especially, capacitive Deionization(CDI) is promising as a future technology for water treatment. Graphene(rGO) has been intensively studied for CDI electrode because of its advantages such as excellent electrical conductivity and high specific surface area. However, its 2D dimensional structure with small specific capacitance, high resistance between layers and hydrophobicity degrades ion adsorption efficiency. In this work, we successfully prepared uniformly dispersed Fe3O4/rGO nanocomposite by simple thermal reactions and applied it as effective electrodes for CDI. Iron oxides play a role in uniting graphene sheets, and specific capacitance and wettability of electrodes are improved significantly;hence CDI performances are enhanced. The hardness removal of Fe3O4/rGO nanocomposite electrodes can reach 4.3 mg/g at applied voltage of 1.5V, which is 3 times higher than that of separate r GO electrodes.Thus this material is a promising candidate for water softening technology.

Fatigue Crack Arrest in Mild Steel via Iron Electroplating

In this work, electrochemical plating treatments were applied to ASTM A36 steel specimens to study the efficiency and limitations of this method for arresting fatigue crack propagation. Electroplated iron was deposited onto the crack surfaces using a circuit in which Swedish Iron served as the anode in a solution of Ammonium Iron(II) Sulfate Hexahydrate. The iron ions were driven into fatigue cracks that were formed within ASTM E399 compact tension specimens. This work showed that an iron-plating treatment operated at 20°C can arrest fatigue crack propagation for a significant period of cycles. The propagation re-initiation lives that resulted ranged from 11,000 to 230,000 cycles. As observed in prior work, the propagation re-initiation life correlated strongly to the magnitude of the stress intensity factor range that was applied during cycling. As this stress intensity increased, the propagation re-initiation life decreased. Repeated treatments on the same crack provided extended service lives by as much as 370,000 cycles or 60% of the entire fatigue life of the component. Future work may show that re-application of the treatment, when conducted prior to crack re-initiation, could further extend the service life indefinitely. The Correia crack closure model was modified to provide an empirical expression for predicting the crack re-initiation life of the treated component. Interestingly, highly effective arrest behavior was still observed for cracks that were loaded to stress intensity factors of only 3 - 6 <img src="Edit_f69af9cd-e908-4aef-8ccb-3b1f36e16d08.png" alt="" />during the treatment but then subjected to 20 <img src="Edit_5ddb9cae-23ad-442d-8e6c-63b5e1d99a0f.png" alt="" /> during cyclic loading. Galvanic corrosion of the plated material exposed to simulated seawater was estimated to be 3 mpy. Future work will examine the use of less active plating alloys and the possibility of applying effective treatments into cracks that are in an unloaded state.

Recent advances in the electrochemical oxidation water treatment: Spotlight on byproduct control

Electrochemical oxidation(EO)is a promising technique for decentralized wastewater treatment,owing to its modular design,high efficiency,and ease of automation and transportation.The catalytic destruction of recalcitrant,non-biodegradable pollutants(per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances(PFAS),pharmaceuticals,and personal care products(PPCPs),pesticides,etc.)is an appropriate niche for EO.EO can be more effective than homogeneous advanced oxidation processes for the degradation of recalcitrant chemicals inert to radical-mediated oxidation,because the potential of the anode can be made much higher than that of hydroxyl radicals(EOH=2.7 V vs.NHE),forcing the direct transfer of electrons from pollutants to electrodes.Unfortunately,at such high anodic potential,chloride ions,which are ubiquitous in natural water systems,will be readily oxidized to chlorine and perchlorate.Perchlorate is a to-be-regulated byproduct,and chlorine can react with matrix organics to produce organic halogen compounds.In the past ten years,novel electrode materials and processes have been developed.However,spotlights were rarely focused on the control of byproduct formation during EO processes in a real-world context.When we use EO techniques to eliminate target contaminants with concentrations atμg/L-levels,byproducts at mg/L-levels might be produced.Is it a good trade-oft?.Is it possible to inhibit byproduct formation without compromising the performance of EO?In this minireview,we will summarize the recent advances and provide perspectives to address the above questions.

Nanocrystalline Iron Pyrophosphate-Regulated Amorphous Phosphate Overlayer for Enhancing Solar Water Oxidation

A rational regulation of the solar water splitting reaction pathway by adjusting the surface composition and phase structure of catalysts is a substantial approach to ameliorate the sluggish reaction kinetics and improve the energy conversion efficiency.In this study,we demonstrate a nanocrystalline iron pyrophosphate(Fe_(4)(P_(2)O_(7))_(3),FePy)-regulated hybrid overlayer with amorphous iron phosphate(FePO_(4),FePi)on the surface of metal oxide nanostructure with boosted photoelectrochemical(PEC)water oxidation.By manipulating the facile electrochemical surface treatment followed by the phosphating process,nanocrystalline FePy is localized in the FePi amorphous overlayer to form a heterogeneous hybrid structure.The FePy-regulated hybrid overlayer(FePy@FePi)results in significantly enhanced PEC performance with long-term durability.Compared with the homogeneous FePi amorphous overlayer,FePy@FePi can improve the charge transfer efficiency more significantly,from 60% of FePi to 79%of FePy@FePi.Our density-functional theory calculations reveal that the coexistence of FePi and FePy phases on the surface of metal oxide results in much better oxygen evolution reaction kinetics,where the FePi was found to have a typical down-hill reaction for the conversion from OH*to O_(2),while FePy has a low free energy for the formation of OH*.

Composition change and capacitance properties of ruthenium oxide thin film

Ru O2·n H2O film was deposited on tantalum foils by electrodeposition and heat treatment using Ru Cl3·3H2O as precursor.Surface morphology, composition change and cyclic voltammetry from precursor to amorphous and crystalline RuO2·n H2O films were studied by X-ray diffractometer, Fourier transformation infrared spectrometer, differential thermal analyzer, scanning electron microscope and electrochemical analyzer, respectively. The results show that the precursor was transformed gradually from amorphous to crystalline phase with temperature. When heat treated at 300 °C for 2h, RuO2·n H2O electrode surface gains mass of2.5 mg/cm2 with specific capacitance of 782 F/g. Besides, it is found that the specific capacitance of the film decreased by roughly20% with voltage scan rate increasing from 5 to 250 m V/s.

Azide-functionalization of carbon nanotubes by electrochemical oxidation of N_3^-in situ

Azide-functionalization of single-walled carbon nanotubes （SWCNTs） was achieved by electrochemical oxidation of N3 in situ. The functionalized nanotubes were characterized in details by single internal reflection infrared spectroscopy （ATR-FTIR） and thermogravimetic analysis （TGA/MS）. The results revealed that a covalent C-N bond had formed and this might provide an effective method for the preparation of azide-functionalized materials, especially carbon materials. The degree of functionaliza- tion was measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy （XPS）.

Recent improvements in oily wastewater treatment:Progress, challenges, and future opportunities

Oily wastewater poses significant threats to the soil, water, air and human beings because of the hazardous nature of its oil contents. The objective of this review paper is to highlight the current and recently developed methods for oily wastewater treatment through which contaminants such as oil, fats, grease, and inorganics can be removed for safe applications.These include electrochemical treatment, membrane filtration, biological treatment,hybrid technologies, use of biosurfactants, treatment via vacuum ultraviolet radiation,and destabilization of emulsions through the use of zeolites and other natural minerals.This review encompasses innovative and novel approaches to oily wastewater treatment and provides scientific background for future work that will be aimed at reducing the adverse impact of the discharge of oily wastewater into the environment. The current challenges affecting the optimal performance of oily wastewater treatment methods and opportunities for future research development in this field are also discussed.