Electrochemical Oxidation of Ethylene Glycol in Aqueous Media Using Lead Dioxide Titanium Anode

Abstract

Experiments on the electrochemical oxidation of ethylene glycol (EG) have been carried out in laboratory conditions using lead dioxide titanium anode (LDOTA) in electrochemical cell. It has been found that the chemical oxygen consumption in the solution on LDOTA at a current density of 5.5 A/dm2 and processing time of 120 min is reduced to the values that allow its further bio-purification. It has been concluded that the efficiency of the electrochemical oxidation process, leading to further destruction of the EG molecule, is explained by both direct oxidation, in which the hydroxyl radicals arise that oxidize EG on the anode surface, and indirect oxidation, accompanied by the formation of strong oxidizing agents, for example, peroxodisulfuric acid anions capable of oxidizing the organic matter in the solution volume.