Performance Restoration of Iron Electrodes by Polarity Reversal after Long-Term Surface Fouling in Wastewater Electrocoagulation

Jang, Gyoung Gug; Castillo, Cesar; Dutta, Swapnamoy; Su, Yi-Feng; Jun, Jiheon; Keum, Jong K.; Kim, Kyungho; Chellam, Shankararaman; Tsouris, Costas

doi:10.1021/acsestwater.3c00741

Title: Performance Restoration of Iron Electrodes by Polarity Reversal after Long-Term Surface Fouling in Wastewater Electrocoagulation

Journal Article · 21 May 2024 · ACS ES&T Water

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestwater.3c00741 · OSTI ID:2376373

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^[1]; Dutta, Swapnamoy ^[1]; Su, Yi-Feng ^[1];

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^[1]; Kim, Kyungho ^[2];

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Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Texas A & M Univ., College Station, TX (United States)

Iron electrocoagulation (Fe-EC) performance often declines with time, producing lower contaminant removal efficiencies and higher energy requirements due to formation of a fouling layer on the electrodes. Here, we investigate the formation of the fouling layer and the effectiveness of polarity reversal to restore the Fe-EC performance. A thin, porous iron oxide layer initially forms on the anode, thickening into a dense, over 150-μm thick crystalline layer after extended operation. This fouling layer restricts dissolution and diffusion of Fe ions into the bulk solution, thus increasing the anode potential required to maintain a desired electrical current and decreasing Faradaic efficiency. Polarity reversal applied when performance decline is observed effectively removes the fouling layer, thereby restoring Faradaic and contaminant removal efficiencies and decreasing energy consumption. Our findings suggest that gas generation at the cathode surface after polarity reversal causes removal of the fouling layer. This study enhances the current understanding of fouling-layer formation in Fe-EC and offers a practical approach, involving polarity reversal, to maintain electrode reactivity and optimal Fe-EC performance.

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Research Organization:: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Energy Efficiency Office. Advanced Materials & Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC05-00OR22725

OSTI ID:: 2376373

Journal Information:: ACS ES&T Water, Journal Name: ACS ES&T Water Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 4; ISSN 2690-0637

Publisher:: American Chemical Society (ACS)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Title: Performance Restoration of Iron Electrodes by Polarity Reversal after Long-Term Surface Fouling in Wastewater Electrocoagulation

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