We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Effective degradation of polystyrene microplastics by Ti/La/Co-Sb-SnO2 anodes: Enhanced electrocatalytic stability and electrode lifespan
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a new electrode that can break down polystyrene microplastics in water through an electrical process called electrocatalytic oxidation. By adding cobalt as an intermediate layer, they significantly extended the electrode's lifespan without sacrificing its ability to degrade microplastics. The study suggests this technology could offer a practical and durable method for removing microplastic pollution from water.
Microplastics have been identified as an emerging pollutant that poses a risk to the aquatic environment, and it is a challenge to find a suitable removal process. Electrocatalytic oxidation (ECO) technology has shown promising performance in removing various persistent organic pollutants. In this study, we prepared a new anode for removing polystyrene microplastics (PS MPs) by ECO. Ti/La-Sb-SnO electrodes doped with the rare earth element La as the active layer were synthesized to enhance the electrocatalytic activity. The lifespan of the electrode was improved by doping Mn, Co, or Ru as an intermediate layer modification between the titanium (Ti) substrate and the La-Sb-SnO active layer, respectively. The experimental results indicated that the addition of three types of intermediate layers led to different degrees of decrease in the catalytic activity of the electrode and the degradation performance of PS MPs. The addition of the Co intermediate layer had a negligible effect on the catalytic activity and performance of the Ti/La-Sb-SnO anode for PS degradation. In addition, the electrode lifespan with Co intermediate layer was significantly prolonged, which was 4.54, 2.38, and 1.19 times higher than the electrode without intermediate layer and the electrode with Ru and Mn intermediate layer, respectively. Therefore, Co was determined to be the optimal choice as the intermediate layer, and the production technique for the Ti/La/Co-Sb-SnO anodes was carefully adjusted. The degradation efficiency of PS MPs was optimized at a heat treatment temperature of 400 °C and a Sn: Co material ratio of 5:1, with a removal rate of 28.0 %. The ECO treatment also resulted in more pronounced changes in the structure and functional groups of the MPs. Various alkyl cleavage and oxidation products were detected after the treatment, suggesting that the oxidant (hydroxyl radicals) strongly interacted with the MPs, leading to their degradation. Overall, this work provided a new insight into removing MPs in water through the use of modified electrodes.
More Papers Like This
Comparative Analysis of Electrochemical Oxidation and Biodegradation for Microplastic Removal in Wastewater
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers compared electrochemical oxidation and biodegradation for removing polystyrene microplastics from wastewater, finding that electrochemical oxidation achieved superior removal efficiency and could serve as a more effective treatment pathway at wastewater treatment plants.
Electrochemical and photoelectrochemical oxidation processes for polystyrene microplastic treatment: BDD anode vs Sb-doped SnO2 ceramic anode coated with a CdFe2O4 photocatalytic layer
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers compared two electrode-based methods for breaking down polystyrene microplastics in water: a boron-doped diamond anode and a ceramic anode with a light-activated coating. Both approaches achieved over 95% removal of microplastics, with the diamond anode reaching up to 99% efficiency. The study demonstrates that electrochemical oxidation is a promising technology for removing microplastic contamination from water.
La-doped Ti/Sb-SnO2 electrode enhanced removal of microplastics by advanced electrocatalysis oxidation process (AEOP) strategy
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a lanthanum-doped Ti/Sb-SnO2 electrode for electrochemical removal of microplastics from water, achieving high removal efficiency through oxidative degradation. The electrode maintained stable performance over repeated cycles, showing promise for advanced water treatment applications.
Electrochemical and photoelectrochemical oxidation processes for polystyrene microplastic treatment: BDD anode vs Sb-doped SnO2 ceramic anode coated with a CdFe2O4 photocatalytic layer
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested two electrode types — a boron-doped diamond anode and a tin-oxide ceramic anode coated with a cadmium ferrite photocatalyst — for breaking down polystyrene microplastics using electrical current, with and without visible light. The study tracked removal efficiency, carbon mineralization, and energy consumption to compare the two systems. Findings help identify more sustainable and effective electrochemical methods for treating microplastic-contaminated water.
Electrochemical oxidation degradation of polystyrene nanoplastics by Sm-Mn intermediate layer Ti/Sb-SnO2 anode: Composite metal elements enhance electron transfer and promote the generation of hydroxyl radicals
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a titanium anode co-doped with samarium and manganese to electrochemically degrade polystyrene nanoplastics in water, achieving 58.75% removal efficiency and an 825-hour electrode lifespan, with density functional theory calculations revealing that the bimetal synergy accelerates electron transfer and hydroxyl radical generation that cleave plastic polymer chains.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.