Electrochemical Decomposition of Humic Substances in Aqueous Solutions Using Pt/Ti and SnO₂/Ti Electrodes

Abstract

The decomposition of humic acid on the Pt/Ti and SnO₂/Ti electrodes was investigated by measuring the total organic carbon (TOC) and UV-visible spectrum. The results showed that humic acid could be decomposed electrochemically and the efficiency in the decomposition of humic acid on the SnO₂/Ti electrode was higher than that on the Pt/Ti electrode. The effects of different types of supporting electrolyte, their concentrations and the initial concentration of humic acid on the electrochemical decomposition of humic acid were investigated. Na₂SO₄ was found to be a suitable supporting electrolyte and the decomposition of humic acid was achieved efficiently at low electrolyte concentration.