Ab Initio and Experimental Investigation of Reductive Dechlorination Mechanisms at Metal Cathodes

University Of Arizona, Tucson AZ

Investigators

Abstract

0083070 Farrell The objective of this research is to investigate the mechanisms involved in reductive dechlorination of chlorinated organic compounds by metal cathodes. The kinetics and reaction mechanisms for hydrocarbon reductive dechlorination will be investigated using rotating disk electrodes. The catalytic effectiveness of three electrode materials, iron, nickel, and palladium, selected to span a range in hydrogen storage capacity, overpotential for hydrogen evolution, and metal work function, will be investigated. The reaction rates, reaction byproducts and Faradaic current efficiencies for a suite of chlorinated organic compounds, tetrachloroethylene, trichloroethylene, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, and 1,1,1-trichloroethane, will be determined for the three electrode materials as a function of electrode potential. ***