Electrochemical reduction of perchloroethylene in aqueous media: influence of the electrode material

Abstract

The electrochemical reduction of perchloroethylene (PCE) in water has been analyzed through voltammetric studies with a rotating disc electrode and controlled potential bulk electrolysis. The influence of the mass transport conditions and initial concentration on lead, copper and carbon electrodes has been studied. It has been pointed out that the electrochemical reduction of perchloroethylene takes place prior to the massive hydrogen evolution along with the potential window for all electrode materials studied. The current efficiency is low but increases as the working electrode potential decreases. Trichloroethylene (TCE), dichloroethylene (DCE) and chloride anions were clearly detected as reduction products, at the same proportion on lead and carbon electrodes along the potential window, but different proportions between higher and lower working electrode potentials at copper electrodes. The best results were obtained for the lead electrode.