Electrochemical Behavior of Ti-Based Nano-Electrode for Highly Efficient Denitrification in Synthetic Groundwater

A Ti-based nano-electrode was successfully fabricated by anodization oxidization method. The electrochemical performances of Ti-based nano-electrode in the electrochemical reduction of nitrate have been measured. The results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) demonstrated that the surface of the Ti-based nano-electrode was covered with a clearly homogenous tubular structure. The cyclic voltammetric waves suggested that the Ti-based nano electrode has stronger electrode electrochemical activity than Ti electrode; chronoamperometries increased the roughness and the real surface area of Ti-based nano electrode was much larger than Ti electrode; additionally, the Tafel slope of the Ti-based nano-electrode is smaller than that of the Ti electrode. Compared with Ti electrode, Ti-based nano-electrode with enhanced electrochemical activity, has higher reduction efficiency and lower energy consumption, achieving the goal of clean, safe removal of nitrate. (C) 2017 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.