A weak aspect of the electro-Fenton (EF) oxidation of contaminants is the dependence of the Fenton reaction on acidic pH values. Therefore, the rationale of this work was to develop a novel catalyst capable of promoting the EF oxidation process at near-neutral and basic pH values. In this framework, rhombohedral FeCO3 was synthesized hydrothermally and used as a catalyst in the EF oxidation of p-benzoquinone (BQ). The catalyst was characterized using various surface and spectroscopic methods. Moreover, the effects of applied current (100-500 mA), time (1-9 h), catalyst dosage (0.25-1.00 g L-1), and initial concentration of BQ (0.50-1.00 mM) on the total organic carbon removal efficiency were determined. The results indicated that a 400 mA current was sufficient for a 95% total organic carbon removal and that the increase in catalyst dosage had a positive effect on the mineralization of BQ. It was determined that at pH 3, FeCO3 behaved like a homogeneous catalyst by releasing Fe3+ ions; whereas, at the pH range of 5-7, it shifted to a homogeneous/heterogeneous catalyst. At pH 9, it worked solely as a heterogeneous catalyst due to the decrease of Fe ions passing into the solution. Finally, the spent catalyst did not undergo structural deformations after the EF treatment at higher pH values and could be regenerated and used several times.
Keywords: benzoquinone; electro-Fenton; ferrous carbonate; siderite; wastewater treatment.