Electrochemical oxidation of p-chlorophenol (PCP) on a Pt electrode in alkaline solution has been investigated using in situ FTIR technique. Results showed that the Pt electrode exhibited a good performance for the electrooxidation of PCP. Firstly, p-chlorophenol anion on the surface of Pt electrode was electrooxidized to p-chlorophenolic radical, which reacted with p-chlorophenol anion to generate insoluble aromatic ether oligomer. With the increase of potential, p-chlorophenol anion was transformed to dihydroxybenzene (maybe with unsaturated carboxylic acids). Then, the dihydroxybenzene could be electrooxidized to benzoquinone at more positive potential. Finally some light weight carboxylate and ultimate product CO2 were achieved. But the Pt electrode could be poisoned with formation of the insoluble oligomer on its surface, and may lose its electrochemical activity gradually.

Key words: in situ FTIR, Pt electrode, p-chlorophenol, electrooxidation