Prof. Ching-Lung Chen
Department of Safety, Health and Environmental Engineering, Ming Chi University of TechnologySpeech Title: Functionalized Electrode Materials for Electrochemical Detection and Selective Conversion of Aqueous Pollutants
Abstract: Electrochemical technologies provide versatile and sustainable strategies for both the detection and removal of contaminants in water. This work presents two representative electrochemical approaches based on functionalized electrode materials, focusing on sensitive pollutant sensing and selective electrocatalytic conversion.
First, a copper ferrite/multiwalled carbon nanotube (CuFe₂O₄@MWCNT) nanocomposite was developed and decorated onto a glassy carbon electrode for the electrochemical determination of diuron, a widely used herbicide of environmental and health concern. The physicochemical properties of the CuFe₂O₄@MWCNT composite were systematically characterized using microscopic techniques, while its electrochemical performance was evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The resulting electrode exhibited a detection range between 1.0x10-2 and 1.8x102 μM and a detection limit of 6x10-2 μM. Good selectivity, repeatability, reproducibility, and satisfactory recoveries in real samples further demonstrated its potential for monitoring diuron in agricultural and environmental samples.
Nitrate contamination in water, mainly arising from agricultural runoff and wastewater discharge, is an important environmental concern, as excessive exposure may pose health risks such as methemoglobinemia. To address this issue, a series of Pd-functionalized Cu electrodes were fabricated through controlled Pd electrodeposition for the electrocatalytic reduction of nitrate in water. Structural characterization confirmed the formation of a PdCu alloy with uniformly distributed Pd nanoparticles on the Cu substrate. By controlling the Pd electrodeposition time, the surface characteristics and catalytic properties of the electrodes could be tailored to enhance nitrate conversion and nitrogen selectivity. Among the investigated electrodes, Pd/Cu prepared with a deposition time of 180 s achieved approximately 98% nitrate removal and 87% N₂ selectivity at a current density of 6.8x10-2 mA cm⁻². The enhanced catalytic activity and durability demonstrate the potential of Pd/Cu electrodes for efficient nitrate removal and selective conversion to environmentally benign nitrogen gas.
Overall, the integration of advanced electrode materials with electrochemical sensing and treatment technologies offers a promising platform for environmental monitoring, wastewater treatment, and sustainable water management.