Electrosorptive photocatalytic degradation of highly concentrated p-nitroaniline with TiO2 nanorod-clusters/carbon aerogel electrode under visible light

TiO2 nanorod-clusters/carbon aerogel electrode with excellent electrosorptive and photocatalytic properties is obtained through loading TiO2 nanorod-clusters (TiO2NRC) on carbon aerogel (CA) by hydrothermal approach. The resulting TiO2NRC/CA electrode presents high surface area (685 m2 g−1) and low electrochemical impedance (19 Ω). The visible light photocatalytic activity of TiO2NRC/CA cathode is proved by UV–vis spectrum, photoelectric experiments, H2O2 and OH tests. It indicates that the TiO2NRC/CA electrode possesses photocatalytic activity of TiO2 and electrosorptive properties of CA. Under air aeration and visible light irradiation, the photocatalytic degradation of high-concentrated p-nitroaniline (PNA) on TiO2NRC/CA and TiO2NRC/graphite cathode is compared. The removal of PNA is 98.2% in 180 min on TiO2NRC/CA. The intermediates generated during the degradation process are analyzed. The possible mechanism of visible light PNA degradation on TiO2NRC/CA electrode is proposed.

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► An excellent electrosorptive and photocatalytic TiO2NRC/CA electrode was constructed.
► H2O2 was continuously generated in situ on TiO2NRC/CA cathode under air aeration.
► Efficient degradation of PNA was achieved under visible light and air aeration.
► The reaction mechanism of degradation had been fully discussed.