Fabrication and photo-electrocatalytic activity of black TiO2 embedded Ti/PbO2 electrode

Black TiO 2 -modified Ti/PbO 2 electrode was fabricated by the electro-codeposition method and characterized by transmission electron micrographs, scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, photoluminescence, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results indicated that the incorporation of black TiO 2 nanoparticles facilitated the formation of porous PbO 2 architecture, improved the oriented growth of [101] and [301] planes, and inhibited the oxygen evolution reaction. The degradation experiment of anthraquinone dye (reactive brilliant blue KN-R) indicated that black TiO 2 embedded Ti/PbO 2 electrode has higher photo-electrocatalytic activity than that of Ti/PbO 2 electrode. Furthermore, the accelerated life test showed that the service life of black TiO 2 embedded Ti/PbO 2 electrode was much longer than that of Ti/PbO 2 electrode. The enhancement of decolorization efficiency and stability for black TiO 2 embedded Ti/PbO 2 electrodes can be attributed to the formation of porous PbO 2 architecture, the existence of photoelectric synergy, inhibition of the oxygen evolution reaction, and weakening of internal stress in PbO 2 coatings. The black TiO 2 embedded Ti/PbO 2 electrode is considered as a promising anode for the treatment of organic pollutants. Graphical Abstract The black TiO 2 embedded Ti/PbO 2 electrode showed significant photoelectric synergy in PEC process for degradation of anthraquinone dye aqueous solution (reactive brilliant blue KN-R) owing to introduction of black TiO 2 .