Enhanced mechanism of carbamazepine degradation by electrochemical activation of persulfate in flow-through system

•B,Co-TNT anode was first used for EA-PS system for CBZ degradation.•A higher CBZ degradation was achieved in flow-through mode ascribed to the higher PS decomposition for OH production.•CBZ degradation by EA-PS in flow-through system were the comprehensive effect of OH, SO4− and 1O2.•EA-PS in flow-through system was an effective method for contaminants degradation. Degradation of carbamazepine (CBZ) was first conducted by electrochemical activation of persulfate (PS) in flow-through system using boron and cobalt co-doped TiO2 nanotubes (B, Co-TNT) as the anode and carbon felt (CF) as the cathode, achieving a higher removal efficiency than that in beaker mode ascribed to the higher PS decomposition for OH production. Different operating parameters including applied current, initial pH, PS concentration and flow rate were explored, supporting that high current, acidic condition, lofty PS concentration and flow rate were beneficial for the removal of CBZ. The mechanisms of CBZ degradation by electrochemical activation of persulfate in flow-through system were the comprehensive effect of OH, SO4− and 1O2, and the possible CBZ degradation pathway was proposed. In summary, B, Co-TNT anode coupled with CF cathode in flow-through system by electrochemical activation of persulfate was an effective method for contaminants degradation.