3D-printed highly ordered Ti networks-based boron-doped diamond: An unprecedented robust electrochemical oxidation anode for decomposition of refractory organics

The performance of the electrochemical advanced oxidation process (EAOP) is usually hindered by the structure of electrode and the production of hydroxyl radical (.OH). Here, a novel 3D boron-doped diamond (3D-BDD) anode was successfully developed through metal printing and chemical vapor deposition. The designed 3D-BDD EAOP system could produce more reactive .OH and decompose different organic compounds more efficiently, displaying lower energy consumption and higher color and total organic carbon removal compared to conventional 2D-BDD electrode. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) calculation demonstrated the intrinsic through-holes on the BDD electrode could promote the mass transfer of chemical substances, and the electron spin resonance (ESR) measurement indicated more .OH were generated on 3D-BDD. This is the first demonstration of 3D printing employed in the synthesis of BDD anodes for organic compounds removal, which gives a perspective insight into batch fabrication of customized, rationally-designed BDD anodes with controllable geometries and sizes.

Automated summary

A novel 3D boron-doped diamond (3D-BDD) anode was successfully developed through metal printing and chemical vapor deposition, which could efficiently produce more reactive .OH and decompose organic compounds with lower energy consumption and higher removal rates. The through-holes on the BDD electrode promote mass transfer, leading to more .OH generation on 3D-BDD compared to conventional 2D-BDD electrodes. This demonstrates the potential for batch fabrication of customized, rationally-designed BDD anodes with controllable geometries and sizes.