Spectroelectrochemical study of trichloroacetic acid reduction at copper electrodes in an aqueous sodium sulfate medium

María Deseada Esclapez, María Isabel Díez-García, Verónica Sáez, Ignacio Tudela, Juan Manuel Pérez, José González-García, Pedro Bonete*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The electrochemical reduction of trichloroacetic acid (TCAA) in water has been analyzed through voltammetric studies with a copper rotating disc electrode supported by controlled-potential bulk electrolysis and electrochemical surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) experiments. The influences of the mass-transport conditions and concentration were studied. It has been pointed out that the electrochemical reduction of trichloroacetic acid takes place prior to the massive hydrogen evolution. Strong adsorption was observed on the electrode surface, and dichloroacetic acid (DCAA), monochloroacetic acid (MCAA), and chloride anions were detected as reduction products. The SERS experiments point to a secondary mechanism in which dissociative adsorption of the trichloroacetic acid gives rise to the adsorption of CO, and therefore, to the production of 1C molecules as by-products of the electrochemical reduction.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)8138-8146
Number of pages9
JournalElectrochimica Acta
Volume56
Issue number24
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • Copper electrode
  • Degradation
  • SERS
  • Treatment
  • Trichloroacetic acid

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