Electrochemical oxidation of palmitic acid solution using boron-doped diamond electrodes

Palmitic acid, a model compound for palm oil mill effluent (POME), was eliminated from a water–ethanol solution using electrochemical oxidation with a boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrode. For a palmitic acid solution in a water–ethanol solution, chronoamperometry with a potential of +3.0 V (vs Ag/AgCl) showed a decrease in chemical oxygen demand (COD) of ~85.75% in 4 h, whereas at a higher potential (+10.0 V), the COD decreased to 75.76% in 1 h. It was noticed that the use of high potentials for up to 4 h caused the structure damaged of the BDD. [Display omitted] •The hydroxyl radicals was proposed to be formed during palmitic acid oxidation using boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrode•Applying of a step potential around +3.0 V decreased the chemical oxygen demand up to 75.76% in 1 h•Applying relatively low potential (around +3.0 V) does not degrade the quality of the BDD electrode•Control of the potential applied is required to avoid the partial dissolution of BDD particles