Elaboration and characterization of new conductive porous graphite membranes for electrochemical advanced oxidation processes

Three different graphite powders with different particles sizes were tested to synthesize tubular monochannel carbon supports for micro and ultrafiltration membranes using a new process. Carbon graphite powders and organic additives were mixed with an ethanolic solution of Resol® type phenolic resin. The extruded tubes were firstly consolidated by curing the resin at 150 °C then carbonized under nitrogen stream (1 mL min−1) for graphitization and pores opening. Supports with optimal properties were obtained using a mixture of Resol® resin and a 44 µm particle size graphite powder, carbonized at 1000 °C. They showed a porosity value of 37%, an average pore size diameter of 3 µm, high mechanical and chemical resistances and an average conductivity of 190 Ω−1 cm−1. The Raman spectroscopy results show that graphitization degree of the material is closely related to the carbonization temperature, which explains the increase of conductivity with temperature. Acid Orange 7 (AO7), a common dye, was finally used as a model molecule to demonstrate the ability of the graphitic membranes to mineralize organic pollutants by electro-Fenton process. Spectrophotometric measurements were conducted on the treated solutions as a function of chemical and electrochemical conditions to determine the degradation kinetic of AO7. Decolorization rate was also measured as a function of time.