Efficient electrochemical generation of hydrogen peroxide by means of plasma-treated graphite electrode and activation in electro-Fenton

Herein, air, argon, nitrogen and oxygen plasmas were used in glow discharge plasma under alternative current to enhance the surface properties of graphite. The plasma-treated graphite electrodes (PTGE) were used as cathode in electro-Fenton (EF) for Acid Orange 7 (AO7) degradation. O₂-PTGE exhibited the best activity owing to its improved surface characteristics. Later, the effects of the main operational condition on O₂-PTGE efficacy in EF and the stability of O₂-PTGE were evaluated and degradation intermediates were identified. Finally, the performance of the studied system was assessed in heterogeneous condition using martite as catalyst and compared with homogeneous system.