title: Electrochemical transformation of thichloroethylene in groundwater by Ni-containing cathodes.
abstract: In this study, we evaluate the use of different stainless steel (SS) materials as cost-effective cathode materials for electrochemical transformation of trichloroethylene (TCE) in contaminated groundwater. Ni, which is present in certain SS, has low hydrogen overpotential that promotes fast formation of atomic hydrogen and, therefore, its content can enhance hydrodechlorination (HDC). We a flow-through electrochemical reactor with a SS cathode followed by an anode. The performance of Ni containing foam cathodes (Fe/Ni and Ni foam) was also evaluated for electrochemical transformation of TCE in groundwater. SS type 316 (12% Ni) removed 61.7% of TCE compared to 52.6% removed by SS 304 (9.25% Ni) and 37.5% removed by SS 430 (0.75% Ni). Ni foam cathode produced the highest TCE removal rate (68.4%) compared with other cathodes. The slightly lower performance of SS type 316 mesh is balanced by the reduction in treatment costs for larger-scale systems. The results prove that Ni content in SS highly influences TCE removal rate.
authors.affiliation: Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Ljiljana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rajic
authors.affiliation: Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Noushin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fallahpour
authors.affiliation: Electrochemistry and Material Science Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Technology, PM B 1526, Owerri, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Emeka
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Oguzie
authors.affiliation: Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Akram
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alshawabkeh
keywords: cathode material; electrochemical; nickel; stainless steel; trichloroethylene