New laser-based method for the synthesis of stable and active Ti/SnO2-Sb anodes

The main drawback impairing the application of highly electrocatalytic SnO2-Sb anodes in the removal of recalcitrant pollutants from wastewater is their short service life. Here, we report the synthesis of Ti/SnO2-Sb anodes with improved stability through a CO2 laser as the primary heating source. The influence of different calcination temperatures (400, 500, 600 degrees C), and varied composition of the solvent in the precursor solution, on the stability and activity of the anodes, were investigated. Notably, the use of the CO2 laser heating method at 600 degrees C improves the service life up to 5-fold as compared to the conventionally prepared anodes. The laser-made Ti/SnO2-Sb anode calcined at 600 degrees C exhibits the best electrocatalytic performance with the fastest color removal rates in the oxidation of methylene blue dye. Therefore, for the first time, Ti/SnO2-Sb anodes with superior properties were produced by a fast method employing CO2 laser, envisaging its future applications in wastewater treatment. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.