Optimized Mo-doped IrO_x anode for efficient degradation of refractory sulfadiazine

Area of Science:

• Environmental Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry

Background:

• Electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs) are effective for antibiotic degradation.
• Anode performance is a critical limitation in EAOPs technology.
• Molybdenum (Mo) doping enhances electron deficiency and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a new anode material with industrial applicability for EAOPs.
• To investigate the effect of Mo incorporation into IrO2 on anode performance.
• To optimize and evaluate the performance of the new anode for sulfadiazine (SDZ) degradation.

Main Methods:

• Thermal decomposition was used to synthesize Mo-doped IrO2 anodes ((Ir0.7Mo0.3)Ox).
• Electrochemical characterization techniques were employed to assess anode properties (mass activity, electrochemical active surface area - ECSA).
• Batch experiments were conducted to evaluate the degradation efficiency of SDZ under various conditions.

Main Results:

• The (Ir0.7Mo0.3)Ox electrode exhibited a unique pore structure, enhancing active sites and electron transport.
• The optimal Ir:Mo ratio of 7:3 resulted in significantly higher mass activity (3x) and ECSA (7x) compared to IrO2.
• (Ir0.7Mo0.3)Ox anodes achieved over 90% SDZ removal within 4 hours on a Ti substrate, outperforming traditional electrodes.

Conclusions:

• The (Ir0.7Mo0.3)Ox electrode is a promising anode catalyst for sulfonamide antibiotic degradation via EAOPs.
• The enhanced performance is attributed to improved pore structure, increased active sites, and superior electrochemical properties.
• This Mo-doped IrO2 anode demonstrates potential for industrial application in wastewater treatment.