UV/H2O2 degradation of diclofenac in a photocatalytic fuel cell

The purpose of this work was to construct an integrated reactor which could photoelectrocatalytically generate hydrogen peroxide under solar radiation and simultaneously degrade a recalcitrant pollutant by the UV/H₂O₂ process. Diclofenac has been chosen as water soluble model pollutant. Hydrogen peroxide has been produced by atmospheric oxygen reduction in a photocatalytic fuel cell. The cell comprised a transparent photoanode electrode bearing a combined CdS/TiO₂ photocatalyst and a carbon cloth cathode bearing nanoparticulate carbon without any other electrocatalyst. Diclofenac was dissolved in the cathode compartment where hydrogen peroxide was generated and the pollutant was degraded by UV radiation support. Degradation was monitored by UV–Vis spectrophotometry and by high performance liquid chromatography. The results show that an integrated reactor functionality is realistic and effective and it provides an alternative route for sustainable operation aiming at environmental remediation.