New laser-based method for the synthesis of stable and active Ti/SnO2–Sb anodes

The main drawback impairing the application of highly electrocatalytic SnO2–Sb anodes in the removal of recalcitrant pollutants from wastewater is their short service life. Here, we report the synthesis of Ti/SnO2–Sb anodes with improved stability through a CO2 laser as the primary heating source. The influence of different calcination temperatures (400, 500, 600 °C), and varied composition of the solvent in the precursor solution, on the stability and activity of the anodes, were investigated. Notably, the use of the CO2 laser heating method at 600 °C improves the service life up to 5-fold as compared to the conventionally prepared anodes. The laser-made Ti/SnO2–Sb anode calcined at 600 °C exhibits the best electrocatalytic performance with the fastest color removal rates in the oxidation of methylene blue dye. Therefore, for the first time, Ti/SnO2–Sb anodes with superior properties were produced by a fast method employing CO2 laser, envisaging its future applications in wastewater treatment. [Display omitted] •Ti/SnO2Sb anodes with improved stability and electrochemical properties were made using a CO2 laser.•Laser-made anodes have a homogenous distribution of metallic oxides and improved surface coverage.•The calcination temperature (400, 500 and 600 °C) influences the performance of the anodes.•The higher the temperature, the higher the service life and better is the charge transfer capacity.•The laser-made Ti/SnO2Sb (600 °C) displays the fastest kinetics of methylene blue dye removal.