Micro surface modification of Zn/Cu-foam electrode for debromination of tetrabromobisphenol A

Copper nanoparticles (Cu NPs) modified zinc electrode (Cu-Zn/Cu-foam) is successfully prepared via cathodic electrodeposition followed by a galvanic-exchange procedure and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), cyclic voltammetry (CV), Tafel curve and galvanostatic electrolysis. With the reconstruction of Zn through the formation of Cu NPs on the surface, the corrosion current and active surface area are increased, and the activity on the electrochemical reduction of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) is activated. The TBBPA (10 mmol/L) is almost degraded within 1 h, and the yield of the complete debromination product bisphenol A (BPA) reaches 92 % in 3 h. Furthermore, the surface of used Cu-Zn/Cu-foam electrode become more uniform and CuZn5 is formed, which enabled the stable electro-catalytic activity on the electro-reduction of TBBPA even after ten cycles. Then the degradation mechanism is proposed. The micro galvanic reconstruction of Zn offers a promising strategy for the removal of TBBPA in aquatic environment.