PANI/GO and Sm co-modified Ti/PbO dimensionally stable anode for highly efficient amoxicillin degradation: Performance assessment, impact parameters and degradation mechanism.

The abuse and uncontrolled discharge of antibiotics present a severe threat to environment and human health, necessitating the development of efficient and sustainable treatment technology. In this work, we employ a facile one-step electrodeposition method to prepare polyaniline/graphite oxide (PANI/GO) and samarium (Sm) co-modified Ti/PbO (Ti/PbO-PANI/GO-Sm) electrode for the degradation of amoxicillin (AMX). Compared with traditional Ti/PbO electrode, Ti/PbO-PANI/GO-Sm electrode exhibits more excellent oxygen evolution potential (2.63 V) and longer service life (56 h). In degradation experiment, under optimized conditions (50 mg L AMX, 20 mA cm, pH 3, 0.050 M NaSO, 25 °C), Ti/PbO-PANI/GO-Sm electrode achieves remarkable removal efficiencies of 88.76% for AMX and 79.92% for chemical oxygen demand at 90 min. In addition, trapping experiment confirms that ·OH plays a major role in the degradation process. Based on theoretical calculation and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer results, the heterocyclic portion of AMX molecule is more susceptible to ·OH attacks. Thus, this novel electrode offers a sustainable and efficient solution to address environmental challenges posed by antibiotic-contaminated wastewater.