Anodic oxidation of 2-naphthol at boron-doped diamond electrodes

The anodic oxidation of 2-naphthol in acid media was investigated at a synt hetic boron-doped diamond thin film electrode (BDD) using cyclic voltammetr y and bulk electrolysis. The results have shown that in the potential regio n, where the supporting electrolyte is stable, reactions involving simple e lectron transfer, such as oxidation of 2-naphthol to naphthoxy radical and 1,4-naphthoquinone occur. Polymeric materials, which lead to electrode foul ing, are also formed in this potential region. Electrolysis at high positiv e potentials in the region of electrolyte decomposition causes complex oxid ation reactions by electrogenerated hydroxyl radicals leading to the comple te incineration of 2-naphthol. Electrode fouling is inhibited under these c onditions. The experimental results have been also compared with a theoreti cal model. This model is based on the assumption that the rate of the anodi c oxidation of 2-naphthol is a fast reaction and it is under diffusion cont rol. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.