Hierarchical Porous PbO2 Electrode for Electro-Degradation of Various Contaminants

Persistent organic contaminants in water pose imminent threats to aquatic ecosystems and human health, yet conventional water treatment systems are not able to remove them effectively. Electrochemical oxidation is a promising treatment alternative for the mineralization of persistent organic compounds. Herein, a novel hierarchical porous PbO2 electrode is fabricated via direct electrodeposition on a templated fluorine-doped tin oxide surface. Physical and electrochemical characterization confirm the superior properties (e.g., enhanced electrochemical active surface areas) of the produced electrode. In addition, compared with macroporous PbO2 and PbO2 electrode films, the hierarchical porous PbO2 electrode shows significantly improved degradation performance against a variety of pollutants, including sodium dodecyl sulfate, rhodamine B, and sodium diclofenac. Overall, it is demonstrated that the hierarchical porous PbO2 electrode can be utilized for efficient electrochemical oxidation of organic contaminants.