Ferrates (VI) ; Alternative products in water treatment : their electrochemical synthesis

This study focuses on determining the optimum conditions for the electrochemical generation of ferrates in concentrated NaOH solution. Various operating parameters, including electrolyte concentration, current density, temperature, electrolysis duration, and the composition and form of the anode, were investigated to enhance the yield of electrochemical ferrate (VI) ion production. The synthesized ferrates were characterized using UV-visible and FTIR spectroscopic techniques. Experimental results confirmed the formation of ferrate ions, with optimal synthesis conditions identified as follows: a current density of 11.96 mA/cm², NaOH concentration of 16 M, electrolysis time of 1 hour, temperature of 25°C, and the use of white cast iron as the anode material. These conditions were found to yield the highest efficiency for sodium ferrate production. The spectroscopic analysis effectively verified the presence of ferrate (VI) ions, providing valuable insights into the electrochemical synthesis process. This study contributes to the advancement of ferrate synthesis techniques, potentially offering an efficient route for large-scale production.