Enhanced electrochemical oxidation of synthetic dyeing wastewater using SnO2-Sb-doped TiO2-coated granular activated carbon electrodes with high hydroxyl radical yields

- We study granular activated carbon (GAC) electrodes coated with catalysts.
- GAC coated with ATOT demonstrates an impressive OH yield.
- This electrode can be used in continuous-flow three-dimensional electrode reactors.
- We use Rhodamine B as a model organic compound for removal.
- The GAC/ATOT performs better than all other electrodes examined.

In this study, granular activated carbon (GAC) coated with SnO2-Sb doped TiO2 (GAC/ATOT) with a high hydroxyl radical (OH) yield is prepared via the sol-gel method. This material is utilized as a granular electrode in a continuous-flow three-dimensional electrode reactor (CTDER) for the enhanced treatment of synthetic dyeing wastewater containing Rhodamine B (RhB). We then characterize the physical properties, electrochemical properties, and electrochemical oxidation performance of the granular electrode. The results show that using the GAC/ATOT electrode in a CTDER significantly enhances the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal, decreases the energy consumption, and improves the current efficiency of the wastewater. This is primarily attributed to the higher catalytic activity of GAC/ATOT for OH production compared to that of other candidates, such as TiO2 coated GAC (GAC/T), Sb doped SnO2 coated GAC (GAC/ATO), and pure GAC. The mechanism of the enhanced electrochemical oxidation afforded by using GAC/ATOT indicates that the high OH yield in the reactor packed with GAC/ATOT electrodes contributes to the enhanced electrochemical oxidation performance with respect to organic compounds.