Nano-sphere RuO2 embedded in MOF-derived carbon arrays as a dual-matrix anode for cost-effective electrochemical wastewater treatment

Abstract

The electrodes' activity, surface area and cost hinder the deployment of electrochemical wastewater treatment. Using an economical microfiber-based carbon felt (CF) substrate, we design RuO2 nanospheres confined by CoxO cooperated carbon nanoarrays (RuO2-CoxO@TCF) to augment noble metal utilization and thus reduce the catalyst cost. RuO2-CoxO@TCF anode with vertical diffusion channels exhibits rapid generation ability of oxidizing species particularity in the presence of Cl− ions, which play a crucial role in azo bond cleavage and benzene ring chlorination of methyl orange. As a result, the catalyst shows 99.5 % color removal and ∼ 70 % mineralization efficiency at a concentration of 60 ppm. In synthetic dyeing wastewater, RuO2-CoxO@TCF delivers a stable total organic carbon (TOC) removal throughout ten cycling tests. Moreover, the electricity consumption of RuO2-CoxO@TCF is far below the reference anode, showing great promise for dye degradation and remediation of industrial wastewater.