Electrocatalytic degradation of bisphenol A in water on a Ti-based PbO2–ionic liquids (ILs) electrode

This study presents an electrocatalytic method for the degradation of bisphenol A (BPA) in water based on a novel Ti-based PbO2–ionic liquids (ILs) electrode. The electrode showed a high stability and reusability due to the better electroconductivity and reusability of ILs. Besides, the influence factors on BPA degradation were investigated in detail, and under the optimal conditions the degradation efficiency of BPA could reach 100% within 150 min. What's more, over 75% chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal was achieved on PbO2–ILs(10%)/Ti electrode. The mechanism of the degradation reaction was proposed based on the results of high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC/MS). It was deduced that hydroxyl radicals (OH) generated in the electrocatalytic process played a key role in oxidizing BPA to form CO2 and H2O, which could be determined by fluorescence methods. All these results illustrated that PbO2–ILs/Ti electrode was effective for pollutants degradation and had a great potential application.

► A novel electrode constructed by electrodeposition PbO2 in ILs on Ti substrate for the degradation of BPA.
► ILs inhibited the formation of large crystallite and improved the electrode stability.
► Better BPA and COD removal efficiency were achieved under the optimal conditions.
► ·OH played a key role in the reaction by attacking BPA to form CO2 and H2O.