Research Information System
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES, vol.163, pp.721-730, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Electrooxidation is a promising method for degrading organic pollutants in wastewater, yet the formation of harmful by-products remains a major concern for environmental and process safety. This study investigates the degradation pathways of azo and oxazine dyes using bismuth tungstate-coated stainless steel (Bi2WO6 /SS) electrodes. A central composite design was applied to optimize key process parameters, revealing that time was the most significant factor in both color and total organic carbon (TOC) removal. Under optimized conditions, complete color removal and 50 %-60 % TOC reduction were achieved. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis identified several by-products, including chlorinated organics and oxygenated compounds, indicating that active chlorine species played a dominant role in oxidation. While dye degradation was highly efficient, the formation of certain intermediates highlights the need for further toxicity assessment and process refinement to minimize secondary pollution risks. These findings emphasize the importance of by-product monitoring in electrooxidation studies and contribute to the development of safer and more effective electrochemical wastewater treatment strategies for industrial applications.