Methods for electrogeneration of reactive oxygen species without external oxygen supply

 

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are defined as a group of reactive molecules and free radicals derive from molecular oxygen, such as superoxide hydroxyl, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and ozone. They are widely used in industry and environmental protection, because of their strong oxidizing ability. Especially H2O2 can exist stable in the environment, so it is commercially produced in large quantities, and more extensively used for disinfection, pulp, and paper bleaching, wastewater treatment, chemical synthesis, groundwater remediation. 

 

H2O2 can be easily catalyzed to hydroxyl radicals by Fenton reaction. This invention consists of three reactor systems.

Two carbon-PTFE O2 diffusion electrode materials are chosen to use in this reactor. One is PTFE covered carbon cloth purchased from fuel cell store, and the other is PTFE covered graphite felt (GF) made in the lab. 

Two electrodes were installed in sequence as from bottom to top and connected to DC source. Ti-based mixed metal oxide (Ti/MMO) and Carbon-PTFE O2 diffusion electrode were used as the anode and cathode separately. 

A three-electrode system is designed to keep increasing H2O2 production. Compared to the two-electrode system, the three-electrode system contains one more cathode (Ti-MMO) located under the anode. This design can efficiently decrease the H2O2 decomposition phenomena. 

 

- No external O2 and H2 supply are needed in this reactor

- No catalyst is needed in this reactor

- It does not need ion-exchange membrane

- No pretreatment is required 

 

- Widely used for disinfection

- In-situ groundwater treatment and wastewater treatment

- A portable purified water system

- Drinking water cleaning for private home

- Cleaning product for private home or public place

 

- License

- Partnering

- Research Collaboration