Efficient electrochemical degradation of X-GN dye wastewater using porous boron-doped diamond electrode

Surface porous Ti substrates were obtained by electrodeposition–hot melt–alkali etching. Porous-Ti/BDD and flat-Ti/BDD electrodes were prepared for comparative study. The results of SEM, Raman, and XRD analyses show that the BDD films of these two electrodes had good uniformity and stable quality. The electrochemical window (EW) and electrochemical-active surface area (EASA) of the porous-Ti/BDD electrode is as high as 4.21 V and 22.78 cm2 (11.39 cm2/cm2), respectively. Furthermore, the electrochemical catalytic performance and degradation mechanism of porous-Ti/BDD electrode as the anode were studied by the electrolysis of Active Orange dye X-GN (X-GN), and the optimal electrochemical degradation operating parameters were obtained. The results show that when the degradation time was 50 min, the X-GN was completely decolorized. The TOC removal rate reached 69.24%, and the energy consumption was 5.62 kWh m−3. The contribution rate of •OH and SO4•− was calculated to be 91.40% and 1.26% by radical quenching experiments, respectively, indicating that the active substances in the degradation system were mainly •OH and SO4•−. The high specific surface characteristics of porous-Ti/BDD electrode enhanced its electrochemical oxidation advantages, and it showed a high degradation efficiency and low energy consumption for the treatment of X-GN simulated wastewater.