This study investigates the electrochemical dechlorination of trichloroethylene (TCE) to non-toxic and valueadded ethane by self-activated Ni(OH)(2) cathode. The Ni(OH)2 cathode was fabricated by drop-casting the as synthesized Ni(OH)(2) suspensions on a glassy carbon electrode. At-1.0 V applied potential, 94.6% of TCE is reduced after 5 h of electrolysis. TCE is efficiently transformed to ethane at a wide pH range in simulated groundwater environment with low-conductivity. The air-exposed Ni(OH)(2) cathode can still dechlorinate 49.8% TCE, showing the antioxidative capacity of Ni(OH)(2 )cathode is superior than that of pristine Ni electrode. Both the directly transferred electrons and the generated atomic H* at the active Ni(0) sites contributed to the hydrodechlorination of TCE. Our work not only provides an effective way to completely detoxify chlorinated organic contaminants (COCs) under environment-relevant conditions, but also proves a concept that the chemical energy in COCs can be harvested during their electrochemical reduction processes.
NSTL
Elsevier