Skip to content

Electrochemical Degradation of Ethidium Bromide on Boron-doped Diamond Electrode Using Factorial Design Methodology

MetadataDetails
Publication Date2015-01-01
AuthorsRong Fei, Zhen Ding, Chunyong Zhang
InstitutionsJiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Southeast University
AnalysisFull AI Review Included

6CCVD Technical Documentation: Advanced Boron-Doped Diamond (BDD) for Environmental Electrochemistry

Section titled “6CCVD Technical Documentation: Advanced Boron-Doped Diamond (BDD) for Environmental Electrochemistry”

This analysis focuses on the successful application of MPCVD-grown Boron-Doped Diamond (BDD) electrodes for the highly efficient electrochemical anodic oxidation and degradation of Ethidium Bromide, a potent organic pollutant. The findings validate BDD’s status as the premium anode material for demanding environmental applications.

  • Core Achievement: Demonstrated exceptional degradation efficiency, achieving a maximum color removal rate of 92.1% for Ethidium Bromide using BDD electrodes.
  • Material Validation: Confirmed the unique properties of BDD electrodes, including inert surface characteristics, remarkable corrosion stability, and an extremely wide potential window, making them ideal for aggressive aqueous media treatment.
  • Methodology Advantage: Utilized a 25 factorial design methodology to systematically optimize five operating parameters (time, flow rate, current, initial concentration, and electrolyte concentration).
  • Key Process Drivers: Identified initial concentration, treatment time, and applied current (X4, X1, X3) as having the most significant influence on treatment performance.
  • Material Specification: The study utilized BDD thin films deposited via MPCVD technology onto p-type Silicon substrates, a core capability of 6CCVD production lines.
  • Application Scope: Results strongly support the use of 6CCVD’s BDD materials for large-scale water treatment, pollution control, and advanced environmental remediation systems requiring robust and high-performance electrochemistry.

Data extracted from the experimental design and results showcase the effective operating window for high-efficiency BDD electrochemical degradation.

ParameterValueUnitContext
Electrode Material BasisBDD Thin FilmN/ADeposited via MPCVD on p-type Si
Effective Anode Area77.44cm2Used in the one-compartment flow cell
Electrode Gap10mmSpacing between BDD anode and SS cathode
Processed Volume200mLBatch volume used for recirculation
Reaction Temperature20°CMaintained via cooling water bath
Applied Current (High Level, X3)1.00ACorresponds to ~12.9 mA/cm2 current density
Treatment Time (High Level, X1)120minOptimized run time
Initial Concentration (High Level, X4)100mg/LEthidium Bromide
Maximum Color Removal Rate92.1%Achieved under optimal high-level conditions
Highest Effect Value (Impact Factor)36.35N/ACorresponds to Initial Concentration (X4)

The study relied on the intrinsic advantages of MPCVD BDD and a structured factorial approach to determine process viability and optimization.

1. BDD Electrode Manufacturing (6CCVD Core Capability)

Section titled “1. BDD Electrode Manufacturing (6CCVD Core Capability)”
  • Deposition Method: BDD thin film was deposited using MPCVD technology.
  • Substrate: Single crystal p-type Silicon (Si wafer).
  • Doping: Boron-doped (BDD) to achieve necessary conductivity and electrochemical properties.
  • Counter Electrode: Stainless steel plates (used as the cathode).

The experiment utilized a batch one-compartment recirculation flow cell maintained at 20 °C.

  • Electrolyte: Na2SO4 (Sodium Sulfate).
    • Concentration Range (X5): 2.5 mmol/L (Low) to 10 mmol/L (High).
  • Flow Rate (Recirculation, X2):
    • Range: 250 mL/min (Low) to 500 mL/min (High).
  • Current Application (X3):
    • Range: 0.50 A (Low) to 1.00 A (High).
  • Monitoring Method: Absorbance decrease of Ethidium Bromide at a wavelength of 480 nm using a UV-spectrophotometer.
  • Design Type: Full 25 Factorial Experimental Design (32 total runs).
  • Software Used: SPSS 17.0 for statistical evaluation of variable effects and interactions (e.g., Lenth’s method for PSE/ME/SME calculation).
  • Critical Findings: Pareto analysis confirmed that treatment time (X1), applied current (X3), initial concentration (X4), and the interaction of time and initial concentration (X1·X4) were the primary drivers of color removal efficiency.

6CCVD is an expert supplier of the advanced diamond materials required to replicate, scale, and surpass the performance achieved in this critical environmental research. We offer fully customizable BDD solutions manufactured exclusively via high-quality MPCVD.

The foundation of this research—high-quality, high-stability BDD electrodes—is a standard offering from 6CCVD.

6CCVD MaterialDescriptionRelevance to Research
Boron-Doped Diamond (BDD)Heavy/Light doping levels (ppb to 1021 atoms/cm3) deposited on Si or custom substrates (e.g., Nb, Ta).Direct material replacement. Ideal for high O2 evolution overpotential required in anodic oxidation.
PCD/SCD Diamond SubstratesSCD (Single Crystal Diamond) or PCD (Polycrystalline Diamond) substrates up to 10mm thickness.Required for high-power, large-area BDD deposition to ensure mechanical integrity and thermal management in industrial systems.

The research utilized specific dimensions (77.44 cm2) and relied on the integration of the BDD film into a flow cell. 6CCVD directly supports these engineering requirements.

  • Custom Dimensions and Scaling: 6CCVD offers BDD wafers/plates in standard sizes, with the capability to produce PCD wafers up to 125mm in diameter. We provide precision laser cutting and dicing services to match the exact 77.44 cm2 effective area or scale up for industrial throughput requirements.
  • Custom Thickness: We can grow BDD films ranging from 0.1 ”m to 500 ”m thickness, allowing engineers to balance cost efficiency with required stability and longevity for continuous industrial operation.
  • Advanced Contact Metalization: To ensure low-resistance contacts and reliable integration into flow cells—critical for handling high current loads (up to 1.00 A / 77.44 cm2)—6CCVD provides in-house metalization services, including Ti, W, Pt, Au, and Cu layers applied directly to the BDD/Si structure.

This research successfully utilized factorial design to optimize a complex electrochemical process. 6CCVD’s in-house PhD material science team specializes in integrating diamond materials into advanced systems.

Our team can assist with:

  1. Material Selection: Guiding material choice (e.g., doping concentration, film thickness, substrate type) to maximize efficiency in Electrochemical Degradation and Water Treatment projects.
  2. Process Optimization Input: Providing data-driven recommendations on how BDD surface properties (e.g., polishing grade, Ra < 5nm for PCD) affect reaction kinetics and stability under high-current, corrosive conditions.
  3. Scale-Up Consultation: Assisting engineers in transitioning from lab-scale (200 mL volume) to pilot and industrial-scale flow systems requiring larger BDD anodes.

For custom specifications or material consultation, visit 6ccvd.com or contact our engineering team directly.

View Original Abstract

Boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrochemical oxidation has been widely applied to the degradation of various organic pollutants, because BDD possesses unique physical and chemical properties as an ideal anode material.In this work, the degradation of ethidium bromide was studied by the electrochemical anodic oxidation through the use of BDD electrode.The effect of varoius operating parameters, such as treatment time, flow rate, applied current, initial concetration and concentration of supporting electrolyte, on treatment performance was evaluated by implementing a factorial design methodology.As a result, BDD exhibited high effeciency in the degradation of ethidium bromide.Among the five parameters involved, treatment time, applied current and initial concentration had considerable effects on the treatment performance  In additon, the results suggested that the factorial design methodology showed great applicability in the parameter optimization of BDD treatment technology.