Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Phenol in the Presence of NaCl

Electrocatalytic oxidation (ECO) of phenol was carried out using a self-made anode, Ti/SnO₂-Sb₂O₃-IrO₂. Preliminary investigations showed that only a small fraction of phenol was oxidized by direct electrolysis, while complete degradation of phenol was achieved by indirect electrocatalytic oxidation using chloride as a supporting electrolyte. Chlorophenols and formic acid were the intermediate products detected in the process of ECO phenol. It was found that the formation of chlorophenols was pronounced at the beginning of electrolysis, but it was subsequently oxidized to organic acids rapidly by extended electrolysis.