Fabrication and characterization of PbO2 electrode modified with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)

A novel PbO2 electrode with a high oxygen evolution potential (OEP) and long service life was successfully fabricated by doping polyvinyl fluoride (PVDF) (marked as PbO2-PVDF) through co-deposition method. The morphology (SEM), elemental analysis (EDX), hydrophobic property (contact angle), crystalline structure (XRD), chemical state (XPS), electrochemical performances (Lsv and EIS) and stability (accelerated life test) were characterized. The results showed that PVDF doping could improve the film morphology, increase oxygen evolution potential (OEP) and reduce the electrode film impedance. In addition, the proportion of adsorbed hydroxyl oxygen (Oad) on the electrode also increased. During the electrochemical oxidation process, the PbO2-PVDF(2.0) electrode showed the best performance on degradation of phenol due to the highest removal rate, lowest energy consumption and minimum Pb dissolution, which could be attributed to its hydrophobic surface, high oxygen evolution potential (OEP) and strong capability of HO generation. Furthermore, the stability of the electrodes were greatly improved after PVDF modification. PbO2-PVDF(1.0) electrode showed the longest service life (501 h), which was more than 4 times longer than PbO2 electrode (118.5 h).