Nitrate Removal on a Cu/Cu2O Photocathode under UV Irradiation and Bias Potential

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

The present work describes a suitable method for treatment of water contaminated with nitrate by using a photoelectrochemical method. A Cu/Cu 2O electrodeposited electrode is used as photocathode with long-term stability under UV irradiation and applied potential of +0.2 V vs Ag/AgCl. In this condition 93% of nitrate is removed after 75 min of photoelectrolysis conducted in NaCl 0.07 mol L-1 and pH = 7. Nitrate reduction on Cu/Cu2O photoelectrodes occurs in the cathodic compartment cell via electrons generated under UV irradiation, as expected for a p-type electrode leading to 42% of remaining nitrite and 52% gaseous nitrogen derived, respectively. ©2013 Science & Technology Network, Inc.