Electrochemically assisted photocatalytic degradation of contaminants of emerging concern in simulated wastewater using WO3 – Elucidation of mechanisms

In this work, the performance of a photoelectrochemical cell to degrade mixture contaminants emerging concern (CECs) in distilled water and simulated wastewater effluents (SWWE) was assessed. The CECs included trimethoprim (TMP), diclofenac (DFC), sulfamethoxazole (SMX) carbamazepine (CBZ) (100 μg·L−1 each). WO3 nanoplate-like structures synthesized on fluorine tin oxide coated glass (FTO) were used as photoanode with Pt or carbon gas diffusion electrodes (GDE) counter electrode. most efficient degradation obtained WO3-GDE combination. Significant observed under visible only radiation. Even radiation, reasonable rate constants 5.67·10-3, 5.35·10-3, 2.9·10-3 4.35·10-3 min−1 for TMP, SMX, CBZ DFC degradation. mechanism at cathode elucidated using two-compartment cell, which allowed identification reactive species generated each Photogenerated holes main responsible CEC SWWE. With GDE, high Faradaic efficiency (55 %) H2O2 production observed.