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Electrooxidation of Oxacillin on a Boron-doped Diamond Electrode - A Voltammetric Investigation

MetadataDetails
Publication Date2025-06-23
JournalAmerican Journal of Applied Chemistry
AuthorsSouleymane Koné, Jean-Claude Meledje, Kouakou Jocelin Kimou, Lassiné Ouattara
InstitutionsUniversité Félix Houphouët-Boigny
AnalysisFull AI Review Included

Technical Documentation & Analysis: Boron-Doped Diamond for Electrooxidation

Section titled “Technical Documentation & Analysis: Boron-Doped Diamond for Electrooxidation”

This document analyzes the research on the electrooxidation of Oxacillin (OXA) using Boron-Doped Diamond (BDD) electrodes and highlights how 6CCVD’s advanced MPCVD diamond capabilities directly support and enable the replication and scaling of this critical environmental and pharmaceutical research.


The study successfully validates Boron-Doped Diamond (BDD) electrodes as highly effective, non-active anodes for the degradation and quantitative determination of the antibiotic pollutant Oxacillin (OXA).

  • Core Application: BDD electrodes are proven suitable for the quantitative determination of OXA in environmental and pharmaceutical samples (R2 = 0.9959 linearity).
  • Electrochemical Mechanism: The oxidation process is irreversible, diffusion-controlled, and proceeds via both direct electron transfer and indirect oxidation mediated by in situ generated oxidative species (e.g., hydroxyl radicals).
  • Kinetic Parameters: Key kinetic values were determined, including an anodic transfer coefficient (αn) of 1.09, a standard heterogeneous rate constant (k°) of 1.97 x 103 s-1, and a low activation energy (Ea) of 17.632 kJ mol-1, confirming diffusion control.
  • Process Enhancement: Increased temperature (up to 353 K) and the presence of chloride ions significantly accelerate the OXA electrooxidation kinetics.
  • Material Validation: The BDD anode demonstrated high stability and suitability for electrochemical degradation in aqueous media, confirming its potential for advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) in wastewater treatment.

The following hard data points were extracted from the research, detailing the material properties and kinetic performance of the BDD electrode system.

ParameterValueUnitContext
Electrode MaterialBoron-Doped Diamond (BDD)N/ANon-active anode
BDD Film Thickness~1”mGrown via HF-CVD
Si Substrate Diameter10cmLow resistivity p-Si wafer
Si Substrate Resistivity1 - 3mΩ.cmRequired for high conductivity
BDD Growth Rate0.24”m.h-1HF-CVD process parameter
Apparent Electrode Area1cm2Exposed area for voltammetry
Anodic Transfer Coefficient (αn)1.09N/ACalculated kinetic parameter
Standard Heterogeneous Rate Constant (k°)1.97 x 103s-1Calculated kinetic parameter
Activation Energy (Ea)17.632kJ mol-1Low value confirms diffusion control (< 40 kJ mol-1)
Oxidation Peak Potential (Ep)1.6V vs. SCEAt 50 mV/s scan rate
Temperature Range Studied298 to 353KInvestigation of kinetic acceleration
Chloride Ion Concentration0 to 100mMInvestigation of indirect oxidation pathway

The BDD electrode was fabricated and characterized using established electrochemical techniques to determine the kinetic and mechanistic pathways of Oxacillin degradation.

  1. BDD Synthesis: Boron-doped diamond films were produced using Hot-Filament Chemical Vapor Deposition (HF-CVD) on low resistivity (1-3 mΩ.cm) p-Si wafers (10 cm diameter, 0.5 mM thickness).
  2. Doping: The process gas utilized a mixture of 1% CH4 in H2 containing trimethylboron (TMB) as the boron source.
  3. Electrode Fabrication: The BDD film thickness was approximately 1 ”m, and the apparent exposed area of the working electrode was 1 cm2.
  4. Electrochemical Setup: A standard three-electrode cell configuration was used: BDD (Working), Platinum wire (Counter), and Saturated Calomel Electrode (SCE) (Reference).
  5. Electrode Pre-treatment: The BDD surface was electrochemically cleaned in 0.5 mol/L H2SO4 via an anodic pre-treatment (+2V, 15s) followed by a cathodic pre-treatment (-2V, 90s) to remove impurities and convert the surface mainly to hydrogen termination.
  6. Voltammetric Analysis: Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) was employed to study the influence of:
    • Oxacillin concentration (0.62 to 3.74 mM).
    • Potential scan rate (5 to 100 mV/s).
    • Temperature variation (298 K to 353 K).
    • Chloride ion concentration (up to 100 mM KCl).

6CCVD is uniquely positioned to supply the high-quality BDD materials necessary to replicate this research, scale up the technology for industrial wastewater treatment, and advance the study of electrochemical degradation kinetics.

To replicate or extend this research on electrochemical degradation, 6CCVD recommends the following materials:

  • Heavy Boron-Doped Diamond (BDD) Wafers: We supply BDD films grown via MPCVD, offering superior uniformity and control compared to HF-CVD. Our BDD material ensures the low resistivity (high conductivity) required for efficient electron transfer and high current density applications.
  • Custom BDD Thickness: The paper utilized a 1 ”m film. 6CCVD offers BDD films from 0.1 ”m up to 500 ”m on various substrates (Si, Ta, W, etc.), allowing researchers to optimize film thickness for durability and cost efficiency in long-term degradation studies.
  • Large-Area PCD Plates: For scaling up wastewater treatment applications, 6CCVD provides Polycrystalline Diamond (PCD) plates up to 125 mm in diameter (or custom dimensions) with heavy boron doping, enabling the construction of large-scale electrochemical reactors.

The precise dimensions and surface requirements of electrochemical research are critical. 6CCVD offers comprehensive customization services to meet these needs:

Research Requirement6CCVD CapabilityTechnical Advantage
Substrate Size/AreaPlates/wafers up to 125 mm (PCD/BDD)Enables direct scale-up from lab-scale 1 cm2 electrodes to industrial prototypes.
Custom GeometryPrecision laser cutting and shaping servicesWe can supply BDD electrodes cut to exact 1 cm2 exposed areas or complex geometries required for flow cells.
Surface FinishUltra-low roughness polishing (Ra < 5 nm for inch-size PCD/BDD)Ensures a stable, reproducible electrode/electrolyte interface, critical for accurate voltammetric measurements and preventing passivation.
MetalizationInternal capability for Au, Pt, Pd, Ti, W, Cu contactsWe can deposit custom metal contacts (e.g., Ti/Pt/Au stacks) directly onto the BDD surface for robust electrical connection in electrochemical cells.
Substrate OptionsSCD, PCD, and thick diamond substrates (up to 10 mm)Allows researchers to select the optimal mechanical and thermal properties for their specific reactor design.

6CCVD’s in-house PhD team specializes in CVD diamond growth, doping control, and surface engineering. We can assist researchers and engineers with material selection for similar Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) and Electrochemical Sensing projects, ensuring optimal boron concentration and surface termination for maximum efficiency and stability.

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

View Original Abstract

The effectiveness of electrochemical techniques in preventing and resolving wastewater contamination issues has been demonstrated. However, this method requires knowledge of the organic pollutant's (Oxacillin: OXA) electrochemical behavior before electrolysis. The aim of this study is to enhance comprehension of the electrochemical process of oxacillin oxidation on the non-active boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrode. These electrochemical properties, focusing on phenomena at the electrode/electrolyte interface, were analyzed by cyclic voltammetry. Effects of concentration of oxacillin, potential scan rate, number of potential scanning cycles, temperature and chloride ions that were investigated allowed for the acquisition of some parameters. This study showed that BDD electrode can be used to quantitatively determine the presence of this substrate in medicines and environmental samples. The process is irreversible and diffusion controlled and proceed in two ways: an indirect oxidation mediated by in situ oxidative species and a direct electron transfer at the surface of the boron-doped diamond electrode. Parameters of OXA electrooxidation, such as anodic transfer coefficient, heterogenous rate constant and activation energy were estimated as 1.09, 1.97×10<sup>3</sup> s<sup>-1</sup> and 17.632kJ mol<sup>-1</sup>. The increase in temperature and the presence of chloride ions promote oxidation of OXA. This indicates electrochemical conditions adequate to oxidize oxacillin on boron-doped diamond anode.