Eur. Phys. J. Appl. Phys. (2016) 75: 24709
https://doi.org/10.1051/epjap/2016150579

Regular Article

Alkaloid decomposition by DC pin-hole discharge in water solution^*

Faculty of Chemistry, Brno University of Technology, Purkynova 118, 612 00 Brno, Czech Republic

^a e-mail: xcklimovae@fch.vutbr.cz

Received: 27 November 2015
Revised: 25 February 2016
Accepted: 11 March 2016
Published online: 8 August 2016

Abstract

DC diaphragm discharge generated in a batch reactor was used to decompose two selected model alkaloids, caffeine and quinine in concentrations ranging from 10 to 50 ppm or 5 to 15 ppm, respectively. UV-vis spectrometry was utilized in evaluation of H₂O₂ production during the process as well as degradation of caffeine. Fluorescence spectrometry was used for quantification of quinine. High rates of decomposition were reached in both cases in the anode part of the reactor. On the other hand, up to four times lower decomposition was observed in the cathode part. Total removal efficiency gained up to 300 mg/kWh for caffeine and 210 mg/kWh for quinine.