Electrochemical oxidation of triclosan using Ti/TiO NTs/Al-PbO electrode: reaction mechanism and toxicity evaluation.

5-Chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) phenol (triclosan, TCS) is a potential threat to the environment and human health, and it needs appropriate approaches for its removal. A new modified PbO electrode, Al-PbO based on TiO nanotubes (NTs), was successfully prepared for TCS electrochemical oxidation. Scanning electron microscopy indicated a compact coating layer on the anode. TCS removal on Ti/TiO NTs/Al-PbO anode followed a pseudo-first-order kinetics. The electrical efficiency per log order (EE/O) for oxidation was decreased from 14.79 to 12.90 kWh m order after TiO NTs on Ti material and decreased to 8.27 kWh m order after Al doping. The effects of current density, pH value, and electrolyte concentration were investigated. Intermediate organo-chlorinated compounds were detected by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, high-performance liquid chromatography, and ion chromatography. Finally, ecotoxicity assessment revealed that the degradation of TCS by electrooxidation system with Ti/TiO NTs/Al-PbO anode could yield a smaller toxicity compared with parent compounds.