Electrochemical oxidation of phenol on AC/SnO2-Sb particle electrodes

As SnO2-Sb solid solution have excellent catalytic activity, a kind of AC/SnO2-Sb particle electrodes was manufactured with thermal decomposition method. Nitrogen adsorption, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction(XRD) and electrochemical test were used to analyze the surface area, porosity, phase composition, the crystal structure and electrocatalytic activity of modified activated carbon (AC). The results showed that SnO2-Sb as continuous solid solution reduced quantity of mesoporous structures but not damaged high porosity of AC that is beneficial to the electrocatalysis. In addition, these metal oxide coatings widely distributed in the channel of AC, which could improve not only electrical catalytic activity to ·OH but also the direct oxidation activity on the surface of the electrode. Meanwhile cyclic voltammetry curve of AC/SnO2-Sb showed an obvious oxidation peak at 1.10 V, which indicated direct oxidation of phenol can occur at the surface of AC/SnO2-Sb. Bulk electrolysis experiments with AC and AC/SnO2-Sb were conducted with simulated phenol wastewater. The results indicated the removal of COD and phenol with AC/SnO2-Sb(78.43% and 79.52%) were better than that of AC under 12.0 mA/cm2 current density during 3h electrolysis. Moreover excellent electrochemical stability of AC/SnO2-Sb can be shown in 30 days continuous water treatment. © 2016, Chemical Industry Press. All right reserved.