Optimization of Ti/Ta2O5–SnO2 electrodes and reaction parameters for electrocatalytic oxidation of methylene blue

Marina Shestakova, John Graves, Maciek Sitarz, Mika Sillanpää

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Abstract: Among existing water treatment methods for organic-containing wastewaters, advanced oxidation process, particularly electrocatalytic oxidation, is a technique allowing to reach high degradation and mineralization efficiencies. Electrodes tested for use in electrocatalytic oxidation processes contain either expensive or platinum/group metals such as Pt-, Ru-, Ir-, Pd-, or boron-doped diamond and Sb and Pb compounds which are toxic for the environment. Thereby, there is a need for environmentally friendly and less expensive electrodes. The objectives of this research were to optimize annealing temperature of Ti/Ta2O5–SnO2 electrodes, establish the working media for organic compound oxidation processes as well as check degradation, mineralization and current efficiencies for methylene blue dye oxidation. Decolorisation efficiency of 95 % was achieved in 2 h at pH = 6.5. Neutral media showed also higher efficiency towards COD decrease which was equal to 85 % after 2 h of electrolysis. The lowest energy consumption of 7.7 kWh m−3 required for 100 % decolorisation was observed for the electrodes annealed at 550 °C at pH = 2. The highest current efficiency of 10.1 % attributed to 80 % of COD reduction was obtained for the electrode annealed at 550 °C at pH = 6.5. The optimization data allow further extrapolating of electrocatalytic oxidation process on Ti/Ta2O5–SnO2 electrodes to pilot scale. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)349-358
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Applied Electrochemistry
Volume46
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Electrocatalysis
  • Electrolysis
  • Methylene blue
  • Ti/TaO–SnO electrodes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemical Engineering
  • Electrochemistry
  • Materials Chemistry

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