PHOTODEGRADATION OF 4-CHLOROPHENOL TO CARBON-DIOXIDE AND HCL USING HIGH SURFACE-AREA TITANIUM-DIOXIDE ANODES

High surface area titanium dioxide films coated on conductive glass we re evaluated for light-assisted electrochemical oxidation of the model aryl halide pollutant 4-chlorophenol. Operation of the electrochemica l cell with the anode at 0.8 V VS SCE and illuminated with light of la mbda>320 nm. gave complete conversion of micromolar concentrations of 4-chlorophenol to carbon dioxide, HCl, and water in oxygen saturated s olutions. Experiments at open circuit in a cell with separate anode an d cathode compartments suggest the possibility of generating hydrogen gas at the platinum cathode in the cell.