Construction of rGO@Ti/SnO2–Sb composite electrode for electrochemical degradation of fluoroquinolone antibiotic

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds Vol. 869; p. 159258
• Main Authors: Chen, Yongyang, Li, Fulin, Dong, Xiaochun, Guo, Dan, Huang, Yixuan, Li, Shanping
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 15-07-2021; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Adhesive strength; Antibiotics; Coated electrodes; Crystal structure; Degradation; Degradation mechanism; Efficiency; Electrochemical analysis; Electrochemical degradation; Electrodes; Electron transfer; Fluoroquinolone antibiotic; Morphology; Norfloxacin; Oxidation; Pollutants; rGO@Ti/SnO2-Sb electrode; Sol-gel processes; Substrates; Tin dioxide; Degradation mechanism; Electrochemical degradation; Fluoroquinolone antibiotic; rGO@Ti/SnO2-Sb electrode
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2021.159258

Efficient and stable rGO@Ti/SnO2–Sb composite electrodes were prepared by the sol-gel method. The microscopic morphology, crystal structure, and electrochemical properties of the rGO@Ti/SnO2-Sb composite electrodes were characterized by a range of characterization techniques. The electrocatalytic oxidation activity of the electrodes was evaluated by the degradation efficiency of the fluoroquinolone antibiotic norfloxacin (NOR). Simultaneously, the effects of different experimental conditions on the degradation efficiency of NOR were also investigated, such as calcination temperatures, brushing times, initial pH, initial electrolyte concentration, etc. The enhanced electrocatalytic oxidation activity can be attributed to the excellent electron transfer efficiency, higher electrode specific surface area, and stronger adhesion of the electrode coating to the substrate. Additionally, the possible NOR degradation pathway was deduced through the main intermediates, and the mechanism of NOR degradation was discussed based on experimental and characterization results. This work provides a simple and effective method to prepare highly active composite electrodes for electrocatalytic oxidation to remove organic pollutants from water.
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•Novel and efficient rGO@Ti/SnO2–Sb composite electrodes have been synthesized.•The rGO@Ti/SnO2-Sb electrodes displayed outstanding electrocatalytic activity.•The possible NOR degradation pathway was deduced through the main intermediates.•The potential electrochemical degradation mechanism of NOR was discussed.