Electro-combustion of polyacrylates with boron-doped diamond anodes

The electro-combustion of water soluble polymeric contaminants like polyacrylates (PA) in aqueous acid solution using a boron-doped diamond (BDD) anode has been investigated by bulk electrolysis in 1 mol dm(-3) HClO4 under galvanostatic conditions in a wide range of PA concentrations and current densities. In all cases complete electro-combustion of PA has been achieved and this is the first successful report for the electro-combustion of soluble organic polymers. The experimental chemical oxygen demand (COD) and instantaneous current efficiency (ICE) values are well predicted from a theoretical model which suppose that the rate of electro-combustion of PA with electrogenerated active intermediates (probably hydroxyl radicals) is a fast reaction and is controlled by mass transport of PA towards the anode (concept of the "ideal anode" for electro-combustion). (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.