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

Electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs) is considered to be an efficacious method to degrade antibiotics. However, the performance of the anode has become the main limiting factor of this technology. In this study, due to the electron-deficient characteristics and the improvement of OER performance of Mo, we chose to use thermal decomposition to incorporate Mo into IrO₂ to prepare anodes with industrial applicability. Under the optimal ratio of Ir to Mo is 7:3, (Ir_0.7Mo_0.3)O_x electrode's particular pore structure can expose more active sites and create a channel for the transportation of electrons, thereby promoting the formation of free radicals and degrading pollutants more efficiently. (Ir_0.7Mo_0.3)O_x electrode also has a higher mass activity (6.332 A g^-1, three times that of the IrO₂ electrode) and a larger electrochemical active area (ECSA, 375.43 cm², seven times that of the IrO₂ electrode). In addition, the optimal conditions of (Ir_0.7Mo_0.3)O_x electrode for degrading sulfadiazine(SDZ) were explored, which achieved a higher removal than traditional electrodes (90% removal within 4 h) when the Ti plate was the substrate. Through the intermediate products of SDZ degradation and related literatures, two possible degradation pathways of SDZ were speculated. This research provides a new type of anode catalyst for the degradation of sulfonamide antibiotics, which is possible for industrial application.