advancements of electrochemical removal of o-methylphenol from aqueous using bdd anode compared to pt one: kinetics and mechanism determination

the oxidation of 216 mg/l o-methylphenol was studied in an acidic aqueous solution using boron-doped diamond (bdd) and platinum (pt) anodes. o-methylphenol was oxidized by hydroxyl radicals generated on the anode used, however, there was a significant distinction betwixt the bdd and pt anodes in the effectiveness and accomplishment of electrochemical degradation. o-methylphenol was rapidly mineralized at the bdd anode, but its degradation was much slower at the pt anode with a total organic carbon (toc) removal of 98% and 65% for bdd and pt anodes, respectively. using bdd anode, 3-methylcatechol, methylhydroquinone, and maleic, fumaric, pyruvic, formic, glyoxylic, succinic, oxalic, and acetic acids were detected. but, there was a formation of dark-colored polymeric compounds and precipitates in the solutions electrolyzed by the pt anode, which was not observed for the bdd cells.