Reduction of oxygen to H2O2 at carbon felt cathode in undivided cells. Effect of the ratio between the anode and the cathode surfaces and of other operative parameters

Abstract

In the last years, the electrochemical conversion of oxygen to hydrogen peroxide at carbon felt has been largely studied in order to define a new route for the production of H2O2 and to optimize the electro-Fenton process, which is based on the cathodic generation of H2O2. In particular, many studies regarding electro-Fenton process were carried out in undivided cells in order to avoid the costs of the separator and to reduce the cell potentials. Hence, in order to optimize the cathodic conversion of oxygen to H2O2 in undivided cells, the effect of many parameters linked to the anodic process were here evaluated. In particular, it was demonstrated that the performances of the process strongly depends on the ratio between the cathode and the anode surfaces, the nature of the anode, the mixing rate and the current density.