Scale-up of Ru-based mesh anodes for the degradation of synthetic hospital wastewater

The disposal of hospital wastewaters, particularly urine with high concentrations pharmaceuticals, is a critical problem. These pharmaceuticals can enter the environment and lead to development superbacteria (in case antibiotics) due inefficiency conventional treatment these aqueous wastes. Hence, this report focuses on scale-up photoelectrochemical (PEC) system equipped Ru-based mixed metal oxide anode (MMO-RuO2TiO2) for efficient removal synthetic polluted three antibiotics different therapeutic classes (i.e., meropenem, penicillin G, chloramphenicol). In addition, elimination antibiotic effect after treatments was examined. A electrochemical cell (MEC) 0.15 L capacity microfluidic flow-through (MFC) 2.25 reservoir were compared, same current density charge passed applied in both cells. cases, MMO-RuO2TiO2 anodes used (with 16.5-fold increase geometric area from MEC MFC) doped 50 mg L−1 each antibiotic. results demonstrate that, although photoelectrolysis attained all systems, MFC faster. This outcome attributed improved mechanical design cell. An evaluation using bacteria (E. coli E. faecalis) showed no residual remained PEC regardless used. data indicate that technology ensure safe treated polymedicated urine. Additionally, smaller amount energy spent remove antibiotics, an order magnitude less PECs, especially MFCs (2-fold than MECs). Thus, promising reduce dangers