Electrocatalytic degradation of norfloxacin using La-Sb co-doped Ti/SnO2 electrodes.

Electrocatalytic degradation of antibiotics in wastewater is limited by challenges in achieving stable electrode materials with high degradation efficiency. This study developed a one-step solvothermal method to synthesize La-Sb co-doped Ti/SnO2 anodes and optimized the La ratio to enhance the electrocatalytic oxidation performance. The electrode with La ratio of 7.5 % (La 7.5 %) showed superior performance with the degradation rate of 92 % in 90 min and the degradation kinetic constant of 0.0261, which were more than double that of the La 0 % electrode. Moreover, the La 7.5 % electrode exhibited the significant improvement in stability with an acceleration lifetime of 13.19 h which was 2.3 times longer than the undoped electrode. This superior performance resulted from synergistic effects of reduced particle size (from 3-5 μm to 200-300 nm), increased surface-adsorbed oxygen species (Oad from 0.49 to 1.09), and elevated oxygen evolution overpotential (from 1.91 V to 2.19 V). This study provides a new and efficient electrode for the treatment of antibiotic-contaminated wastewater.