Enhanced performance of a PbO2 electrocatalytic anode and its application for phenol oxidation

Abstract

To enhance the electrocatalytic performance and stability of PbO2 electrodes for the degradation of aqueous refractory organic pollutants, a sodium lauryl sulfonate (SLS)-modified PbO2 electrode was prepared by a surfactant-assisted anodic electrodeposition method. The morphology, crystal phase, and electrocatalytic performance were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and phenol degradation. The stability and hydrophobicity of the PbO2 anodes were investigated by accelerated life tests and contact angle measurements. The optimal SLS concentration is 120 mg/L in a bath solution during the electrode preparation process. The PbO2-SLS-120 anode has an accelerated anode life of 72 h, which is 2.5 times longer than that of the undoped PbO2 anode. The contact angle and oxygen evolution potential (OEP) of the PbO2-SLS-120 anode are 102° and 1.54 V, respectively, which are larger than those of undoped PbO2 anodes. It is suggested that PbO2-SLS anode has good electrocatalytic performance due to the improvement of the electrode surface structure. Therefore, a PbO2 anode with a simple and feasible preparation method was obtained with a good application prospect for the treatment of wastewater.