Fabrication and photo-electrocatalytic activity of black TiO2 embedded Ti/PbO2 electrode

Black TiO2-modified Ti/PbO2 electrode was fabricated by the electro-codeposition method and characterized by transmission electron micrographs, scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, photoluminescence, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results indicated that the incorporation of black TiO2 nanoparticles facilitated the formation of porous PbO2 architecture, improved the oriented growth of [101] and [301] planes, and inhibited the oxygen evolution reaction. The degradation experiment of anthraquinone dye (reactive brilliant blue KN-R) indicated that black TiO2 embedded Ti/PbO2 electrode has higher photo-electrocatalytic activity than that of Ti/PbO2 electrode. Furthermore, the accelerated life test showed that the service life of black TiO2 embedded Ti/PbO2 electrode was much longer than that of Ti/PbO2 electrode. The enhancement of decolorization efficiency and stability for black TiO2 embedded Ti/PbO2 electrodes can be attributed to the formation of porous PbO2 architecture, the existence of photoelectric synergy, inhibition of the oxygen evolution reaction, and weakening of internal stress in PbO2 coatings. The black TiO2 embedded Ti/PbO2 electrode is considered as a promising anode for the treatment of organic pollutants. The black TiO2 embedded Ti/PbO2 electrode showed significant photoelectric synergy in PEC process for degradation of anthraquinone dye aqueous solution (reactive brilliant blue KN-R) owing to introduction of black TiO2. [GRAPHICS] .