B4C/Ce co-modified Ti/PbO2 dimensionally stable anode: Facile one-step electrodeposition preparation and highly efficient electrocatalytic degradation of tetracycline

The application of PbO 2 for electrochemical oxidation technology is limited by its low electrocatalytic activity and short service life. Herein, based on the facile one-step electrodeposition , we prepared a boron carbide (B 4 C) and cerium (Ce) co-modified Ti/PbO 2 (Ti/PbO 2 –B 4 C–Ce) electrode to overcome these shortcomings. Compared with Ti/PbO 2 electrode, the denser surface is displayed by Ti/PbO 2 –B 4 C–Ce electrode. Meanwhile, electrochemical characterization indicates that the introduction of B 4 C and Ce significantly enhance the electrochemical performance of PbO 2 electrode. In degradation experiments, under optimized conditions (current density 20 mA cm −2 , pH 9, 0.15 M Na 2 SO 4 and 30 °C), the fully degradation of tetracycline (TC) can be completed within 30 min. Furthermore, the trapping experiment demonstrates that ∙OH and SO 4 ·- radicals have a synergistic effect in the degradation process of TC. Based on results of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer, the generated ·OH preferentially attacks amides, phenols and conjugated double bond groups in TC. Importantly, Ti/PbO 2 –B 4 C–Ce electrode maintains a constant degradation efficiency even after 10 recycling tests, and its service life is 2.4 times of traditional Ti/PbO 2 electrode. Hence, Ti/PbO 2 –B 4 C–Ce electrode is a promising electrode for degradation of organic wastewater containing amides, phenols, and conjugated double bond groups.