Electrochemical oxidation of lignin at lead dioxide nanoparticles photoelectrodeposited on TiO2 nanotube arrays

In this study, we have successfully fabricated lead dioxide (PbO2) nanoparticles supported on TiO2 nanotubes (TiO2NT/PbO2) for the treatment of kraft lignin. The TiO2 nanotubes were grown directly on Ti substrates by electrochemical anodization and the PbO2 nanoparticles were formed by the combination of photochemical and electrochemical deposition. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) were employed to study the surface morphology and composition of the fabricated Ti/TiO2NT/PbO2 electrodes. The resulting electrode was utilized as a novel approach for the oxidation and modification of lignin. UV–vis spectroscopy was employed to monitor the lignin oxidation process in situ. The effects of concentration, current and temperature on the oxidation of lignin have been investigated, as well as post-oxidation changes in the chemical oxygen demand (COD) of the lignin solution. Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used to characterize the oxidized lignin as well as the resulting products. Our study shows that the electrochemical oxidation of lignin via the fabricated Ti/TiO2NT/PbO2 electrode is a promising approach for the remediation of lignin wastewater and the generation of lignin-derived value-added products.

► Fabrication of TiO2 nanotube arrays.
► Photoelectrochemical deposition of PbO2 nanoparticles.
► Electrochemical oxidation of lignin at the TiO2-supported PbO2 nanoparticles to value-added products.