Influence of heating rate on the physical and electrochemical properties of mixed metal oxides anodes synthesized by thermal decomposition method applying an ionic liquid

Electrochemical oxidation has been focus of recent study in order to supply the growing demand for environmentally friendly wastewater treatment systems. In that sense, the development of efficient and durable mixed metal oxides (MMO) is a growing research field. Herein we propose a novel thermal decomposition methodology applying ionic liquid (IL) for the synthesis of Ti/Sn50SbxCe50−x anodes (where x = 10, 20, 30 or 40). The different MMOs were synthesized through thermal decomposition applying various heating rates (3, 6 and 9 °C min−1) reaching a calcination temperature of 600 °C. Furthermore, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and electrolysis measurements were carried out. For the synthesized electrodes it was possible to notice a higher superficial area, porosity and electrochemical conductivity for the Sn50Sb40Ce10 electrode. Additionally, the redox couple Ce+4/Ce+3 was more intensely seen for this electrode which presented the best outcomes for Atrazine electrolysis, promoting a 58% concentration removal after 1 h electrolysis at current density as low as 1 mA cm−2.