Degradation of aqueous phenol by combined ultraviolet and electrochemical oxidation treatment

The industrial wastewater containing phenol is characterized by its elevated toxicity, resistance to biodegradation, and pronounced bioaccumulation. Traditional treatment methods frequently fall short in effectively removing phenol. In this study, a UV photoelectrochemical synergistic catalytic oxidation process was employed for the efficient elimination of phenol. The investigation systematically assessed the impact of various factors, including electrolyte type, concentration, current density, and initial pH, on phenol degradation. Furthermore, the degradation products were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results indicate that the oxidation and degradation of phenol in the UV photoelectrochemical synergistic catalytic system adhere to a first-order kinetic equation. Moreover, the combined UV and electrochemical catalytic degradation process demonstrated a synergistic effect, significantly enhancing the efficiency of phenol degradation. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism of UV combined electrochemical catalytic degradation of phenol and provide reasonable speculation on the degradation pathway of phenol under UV electrochemical co-catalytic oxidation. •Effective phenol removal can be achieved by combined UV-electrochemical catalytic oxidation.•The UV-electrochemical combination produces a coordinated effect.•Phenol degradation pathways under combined UV-electrochemical action.