Study on Effect and Catalytic Mechanism of the Catalysts for Coal Oxidation in Alkaline Medium

Abstract Coal electro‐oxidation in sodium hydroxide solution with catalysts, K 3 Fe(CN) 6 , sodium hypochlorite and supported FeS, were investigated, respectively. Gas produced from electro‐analysis of coal slurry was collected by drainage‐method and I ‐ t curves were recorded to testify the catalysis of each catalyst for coal oxidation. The results show that the three kinds of catalysts can obviously improve the coal oxidation current. Furthermore, K 3 Fe(CN) 6 and sodium hypochlorite played an indirect oxidation role in the electrolysis process. Catalysts bridge the coal particles and the solid electrode surface, thus increase the coal oxidation rates. The changes of catalyst content during the electrolysis were further determined by quantitative titration to discuss the catalytic Mechanism. The dynamic transition of K 3 Fe(CN) 6 /K 4 Fe(CN) 6 and ClO − /Cl − are proposed by iodometric method.