Flow-through electrosorption process for removal of 2,4-D pesticide from aqueous solutions onto activated carbon cloth fixed-bed electrodes

Wastewater treatment systems have great importance in dealing with increasing environmental pollution. In this study, a specially designed and constructed flow-through electrochemical cell was used to enhance the electrosorptive removal capacity of 2,4-Dichlorofenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) pesticide from aqueous solutions onto high area activated carbon cloth (ACC) fixed-bed electrodes. The change in concentration of 2,4-D during the electrosorption process was followed by an online UV-Vis spectrophotometric system. Effects of operational parameters such as volumetric flow rate, applied potential and existence of Na2SO4 salt on electrosorption of 2,4-D were examined. Optimum values were found to be 10 mL.min(-1) for volumetric flow rate and +900 mV for the applied potential to polarize ACC. Maximum capacity of 729 mg.gACC(-1) has been achieved for removal of 2,4-D pesticides.