Electrogeneration of hydrogen peroxide using Ti/IrO2–Ta2O5 anode in dual tubular membranes Electro-Fenton reactor for the degradation of tricyclazole without aeration

A novel dual tubular membrane electrodes reactor was fabricated to degrade a refractory heterocyclic compound-tricyclazole using a tubular membrane Ti/IrO 2 –Ta 2 O 5 as anode and a carbon black-polytetrafluoroethylene (CB-PTFE) modified graphite membrane as cathode. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), Linear Sweep Voltammetry (LSV) and accelerated lifetime tests revealed that a porous tubular membrane Ti/IrO 2 –Ta 2 O 5 performed better electrocatalytic activity and high stability under acidic conditions. Meanwhile, the effects of aeration on electrogeneration of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) were assessed and the role of anode in dynamic system was elucidated by comparing with the static system. The influence of the operative parameters such as current density (2.5–12.5   A/m 2 ), membrane flux (52–178   L/m 2 ·h) and pH (3–11) were optimized and monitored. It is demonstrated that tubular membrane Ti/IrO 2 –Ta 2 O 5 anode provided enough oxygen to electrogenerate H 2 O 2 , up to 1586   mg/m 2 ·h, at 10   A/m 2 without aeration in acidic solution. Even if no circulation of the influent, the best removal rate of contaminants reached a stable value 79% at 20   min, which was 6.58-fold greater than the sum of the individual electrochemical oxidation. Synergism was observed during the dual tubular membrane E-Fenton system.