Study on preparation of SnO2-TiO2/Nano-graphite composite anode and electro-catalytic degradation of ceftriaxone sodium

In order to improve the electro-catalytic activity and catalytic reaction rate of graphite-like material, Tin dioxide-Titanium dioxide/Nano-graphite (SnO2-TiO2/Nano-G) composite was synthesized by a sol-gel method and SnO2-TiO2/Nano-G electrode was prepared in hot-press approach. The composite was characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared, Raman, N2 adsorption-desorption, scanning electrons microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The electrochemical performance of the SnO2-TiO2/Nano-G anode electrode was investigated via cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The electro-catalytic performance was evaluated by the degradation of ceftriaxone sodium and the yield of ·OH radicals in the reaction system. The results demonstrated that TiO2, SnO2 and Nano-G were composited successfully, and TiO2 and SnO2 particles dispersed on the surface and interlamination of the Nano-G uniformly. The specific surface area of SnO2 modified anode was higher than that of TiO2/Nano-G anode and the degradation rate of ceftriaxone sodium within 120 min on SnO2-TiO2/Nano-G electrode was 98.7% at applied bias of 2.0 V. The highly efficient electro-chemical property of SnO2-TiO2/Nano-G electrode was attributed to the admirable conductive property of the Nano-G and SnO2-TiO2/Nano-G electrode. Moreover, the contribution of reactive species ·OH was detected, indicating the considerable electro-catalytic activity of SnO2-TiO2/Nano-G electrode. •SnO2-TiO2/Nano-G composite anodes were prepared by the sol-gel method and hot-press approach.•SnO2-TiO2/Nano-G exhibited high specific surface area and outstanding electro-chemical properties.•SnO2-TiO2/Nano-G electrode displayed excellent electro-catalytic activity.•Enhanced electro-catalytic mechanism of SnO2-TiO2/Nano-G electrode was proposed.•Ceftriaxone sodium undergoes efficient degradation and mineralization using this anode.