A Feasibility Study of Hydrogen Peroxide Electrogeneration in Seawater for Environmental Remediation

Abstract

The electrogeneration of hydrogen peroxide in seawater by oxygen reduction on a gas diffusion cathode was investigated considering the feasibility of this process in an undivided reactor. The possible co-presence of different oxidants and the possibility of their synergistic action was evaluated. The loss of hydrogen peroxide due to direct anodic oxidation and to reaction with anodically electrogenerated species was evidenced. To optimize the production efficiencies of both active chlorine and hydrogen peroxide, the influence of electrode materials and current density was studied. An investigation of the possible analytical interferences was also provided.