Organic Chemistry: Current Research
Open Access

What is the role of diffuse double layer (DDL) processes during electrolyticreduction in a lowoxygen environment?

2^nd International Conference on Past and Present Research Systems of Green Chemistry

September 14-16, 2015 Orlando, USA

Rebekah Brosky

Florida Gulf Coast University, USA

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: Organic Chem Curr Res

Abstract :

Heavy metals typically accumulate in reduced bottom sediments after being dischargedinto waterways by industrial and municipal processes. Copper in particular is widely usedas a major component of electronic devices. Cu(II), the most prevalent form of Cu in thenatural environment, is highly water soluble. A laboratory experiment was conducted inorder to determine if abundance of clay in the bottom sediments of a Cu-contaminatedaqueous ecosystem could enhance electrolytic reduction of the heavy metal to the lessmobile (Cu(0) or Cu(I)) forms. Cu(NO3)2*2.5H2O was added to simulate a moderatelycontaminated system with 650 �¼g Cu/ ml kaolinite clay-water slurry. A constant electricalpotential of 1.0 V/cm was applied across platinum wire electrodes inserted into thecontinuously stirred system for four days while the system ORP was monitored andperiodic sub-samples were taken for analysis. The electrical as well as the chemicalresults indicate that the quantity of Cu(II) being reduced to Cu(I), especially within theaqueous phase, is increased within the first 48 hours of experimentation by the presenceof kaolinite clay up to 0.05mg clay/liter slurry. Though an electric current is necessary toinitiate and sustain the non-spontaneous redox reaction, we were able to demonstrate thatthe clay content of the soil matrix itself may determine the subsequent efficiency of thereduction process. Under an applied current, the clay DDL behaves as capacitor forcharge storage in this natural system and is aiding the heavy metal clean-up process.

Biography :

Email: rbrosky@fgcu.edu