Issue 12, 2021

Understanding the effect of the high hydrophobicity of the laser-prepared Ti/SnO2–Sb–La2O3 anode on its electrocatalytic properties

Abstract

SnO2-Based materials have attracted much attention in the electrochemical oxidation field due to their high electrocatalytic activity. However, efforts are still required to improve their physical and electrochemical properties. Here we employed a CO2 laser thermal process, as a substitute to conventional furnace heating, for the synthesis of two SnO2-based anodes–Ti/SnO2–Sb2O5 and Ti/SnO2–Sb–La2O3. Compared with anodes made using conventional heating, the laser-prepared anodes show a more compact surface and a change from hydrophilic to super-hydrophobic wetting properties. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction data reveal the uniform distribution of Sn, Sb, and La, as well as the formation of the desired oxides, respectively. The oxidation state and chemical composition were confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Notably, the laser-prepared anodes exhibit a positive shift in the oxygen evolution overpotential, especially for the Ti/SnO2–Sb–La2O3 anode, and a 2-fold reduction in the charge transfer resistance. The electrochemical degradation of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) was investigated in aqueous solutions by UV-Vis spectra employing all anodes produced. The results showed that laser-prepared Ti/SnO2–Sb–La2O3 displays the highest degradation efficiency at the lowest energy consumption. Also, a mechanism for the 4-NP oxidation at the SnO2-based anodes under the current working conditions is proposed. Finally, the notable reduction in processing time and energy spent using laser heating makes it a feasible alternative to produce SnO2-based anodes. Their improved properties enhance the potential of these anodes to be applied in the electrochemical treatment of polluted waters.

Graphical abstract: Understanding the effect of the high hydrophobicity of the laser-prepared Ti/SnO2–Sb–La2O3 anode on its electrocatalytic properties

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
04 ene. 2021
Accepted
04 may. 2021
First published
04 may. 2021
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY-NC license

Mater. Adv., 2021,2, 4016-4028

Understanding the effect of the high hydrophobicity of the laser-prepared Ti/SnO2–Sb–La2O3 anode on its electrocatalytic properties

G. de Oliveira Santiago Santos, A. R. Dória, C. V. D. Silva Almeida, M. Pupo, R. S. da Silva, K. I. B. Eguiluz and G. R. Salazar-Banda, Mater. Adv., 2021, 2, 4016 DOI: 10.1039/D1MA00004G

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