Using blue TiO2 nanotube arrays (Ti/BTNAs) as both anode and cathode, a novel bipolar system that is suitable for operating in periodic polarity reversal (PR) and flow-through mode was established, aiming to effectively remove antibiotics and inorganic nitrogen from actual mariculture wastewater. Under optimal conditions of 4.0 mA/cm2 current density, 3.0 mL/min water flow rate and 2.0 cycles/h polarity reversal frequency, the PR-induced synergistic effect endows Ti/BTNAs abundant oxygen vacancies (20.53 %), high activity and extended service lifetime (5.25 years), realizing continuous production of surface-adsorbed active hydrogen (Hads∗) at cathode and reactive chlorine species (Cl, ClO, Cl2−, ClO−) over anode through Cl− reacting with reactive oxygen species (HO, SO4−, O2−) and ∼0.7 kWh/gTOC energy consumption. Bipolar system can also flexibly regulate denitrification mechanism through the PR-triggered sequential electrochemical redox of Ti/BTNAs in water flow direction, achieving minimum energy consumption of ∼43.4 ± 3.2 kWh/kg(NH4+-N) and 33.7 ± 2.3 % current efficiency. Berberine antibiotic degradation pathway was suggested by DFT calculations and LC-MS/MS analyses. This study provides a long-acting and low-consuming strategy for comprehensive treating mariculture wastewater.
Read full abstract