Norfloxacin mineralization under light exposure using Sb–SnO2 ceramic anodes coated with BiFeO3 photocatalyst

Advanced Oxidation Processes have been proven to be an efficient way to remove organic pollutants from wastewaters. In this work, a ceramic electrode of Sb–SnO2 (BCE) with a layer of the photocatalytic material BiFeO3 (BFO-BCE), has been characterized electrochemically and further tested for norfloxacin photo-electrooxidation in the presence and absence of light. The electrode photoactivity was highly enhanced thanks to the presence of BiFeO3, as confirmed by Linear Sweep Voltammetry, chronoamperometry and potentiometry, and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy. Additionally, working in galvanostatic mode, a high mineralization of norfloxacin was achieved after 240 min, reaching 62% at 25 mA cm−2 under light conditions. This value is comparatively higher than the 40% achieved with the BCE. The oxidation byproducts were followed by ionic chromatography and HPLC analysis, which also allowed us to propose an oxidation pathway of the norfloxacin molecule. Finally, some indicators of the reactor performance such as the Mineralization Current Efficiency and the specific energy consumption were analyzed, revealing that lower current densities (8.3 mA cm−2) led to higher current efficiencies, and that light improved both the current efficiency and energy consumption. [Display omitted] •BiFeO3 coating showed an increase of the photoactivity of the Sb–SnO2 ceramic anode.•EIS showed a reduction of the charge transfer resistance with the BiFeO3 coating.•Norfloxacin mineralization increased with current density and light.•MCE and energy consumption of the system were improved in presence of light.