Electro-catalytic degradation properties of Ti/SnO2–Sb electrodes doped with different rare earths

Abstract

Ti/SnO2–Sb electrode has a good effect on the removal of organic pollutants. But its short service life limits its large-scale application in industry. Electro-catalytic degradation performances and service life of the electrode can be significantly improved by doping rare earth (RE) ions into the oxide coating of Ti/SnO2–Sb electrode. Ti/SnO2–Sb electrodes doped with different RE elements (Ce, Dy, La, and Eu) were prepared by the thermal decomposition method at 550 °C. Electro-catalytic degradation performances of electrodes doped with different RE elements were evaluated by linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and Tafel curves. During the electrolysis, the conversion of p-nitrophenol was performed with these electrodes as anodes under galvanostatic control. The structures and morphologies of the surface coating of the electrodes were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results demonstrate that the electro-catalytic degradation performances of Ti/SnO2–Sb electrodes are improved to different levels by doping different RE ions. Improved Ti/SnO2–Sb electrodes by the introduction of different RE have higher oxygen evolution potential, better electro-catalysis ability, better coverage, and longer electrode life.