Elaboration of Highly Modified Stainless Steel/Lead Dioxide Anodes for Enhanced Electrochemical Degradation of Ampicillin in Water

Lead dioxide-based electrodes have shown a great performance in the electrochemical treatment of organic wastewater. In present study, modified PbO2 anodes supported on stainless steel (SS) with titanium oxide interlayer such as SS/TiO2/PbO2 and SS/TiO2/PbO2-10% Boron (B) were prepared by sol–gel spin-coating technique. The morphological structural properties characterized scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), photoelectron (XPS). It was found that B anode led to rougher active surface, larger specific surface area, therefore stronger ability generate powerful oxidizing agents. impedance (EIS) measurements showed displayed lower charge transfer resistance Rct. influence introduction TiO2 intermediate layer boron doping degradation ampicillin (AMP) antibiotic been investigated chemical oxygen demand HPLC analysis. Although analysis process AMP SS/PbO2 slightly faster than anodes, results revealed SS/TiO2/PbO2-10%B most efficient economical toward pollutant due its physico-chemical properties. At end electrolysis, (COD), average current efficiency (ACE) energy consumption (EC) reached, respectively, 69.23%, 60.30% 0.056 kWh (g COD)−1, making promising for aqueous solutions.