Effect of counter electrode material on the anodic destruction of 4-Cl phenol solution

The electrochemical oxidation of solutions of 4-Cl-phenol was studied using a dimensional stable anode (DSA). An electrochemical cell with one working electrode and two counter electrodes was used. Four counter electrodes-lead, zinc, brass and copper-were tested under different pH values-namely, 2.3,7.0 and 12.6. Complete elimination was successfully achieved. The experimental results show a considerable influence of the counter electrode material on the rate of destruction. In addition, the pH affects the destruction rate versus the counter electrode material. At a pH of 12.6, the rate of destruction using copper was higher than when using lead, while at a pH of 2.3, this behaviour was reversed. Furthermore, at a pH of 7.0, all the tested counter electrode materials had almost the same performance.