Synthesis of graphene-based biopolymer tio₂ electrodes using pyrolytic direct deposition method and its catalytic performance

The traditional methods used to synthesize graphene layers over semiconductors are chemical-based methods. In the present investigation, a novel photoelectroactive electrode was synthesized using a chitosan biopolymer without the usage of chemicals. A chitosan-biopolymer layer over the surface of TiO₂ was generated by electrodeposition. Furthermore, the pyrolysis method was used for the conversion of a biopolymer into graphene layers. The catalytic activity of the fabricated electrodes was investigated by the photo-electro-Fenton (PEF) process to oxidize chloramphenicol and nadolol pharmaceutical drugs in wastewater, remove metals (scandium, neodymium, and arsenic) and degrade real municipal wastewater. The PEF operational parameters (pH, voltage, reaction time, and Fenton catalytic dose) were optimized for the overall degradation of chloramphenicol and nadolol pharmaceutical drugs in wastewater. It was observed that at the optimum process operational parameters it took 40 min to degrade chloramphenicol and nadolol pharmaceutical drugs in wastewater. It was proved that biopolymer-based photoelectroactive novel electrodes render good catalytic activity. Furthermore, the reusability study of fabricated electrodes showed excellent storage and self-healing properties.