Development of a Three-Dimensional Structured Carbon Fiber Felt/β-PbO2 Electrode and Its Application in Chemical Oxygen Demand Determination

Preparation of Ti/RuO2-IrO2 electrodes and their application in broad-spectrum electrochemical detection of COD

An electrode with RuO2 and IrO2 co-deposited on a Ti surface (Ti/RuO2-IrO2), notable for its high catalytic activity and stability, was developed for the rapid and environmentally friendly electrochemical determination of chemical oxygen demand (COD). This study thoroughly examined factors influencing electrode preparation, COD detection mechanisms, and the factors affecting COD detection, as well as broad-spectrum analysis. Under optimal conditions, which include a deposition time of 53.5 min, a current density of 5.5 mA/cm2, and 2.35 mmol of RuCl3, the electrode achieved a linear correlation coefficient of 0.99 for COD detection. The co-doping of RuO2 and IrO2 significantly enhanced the electrode's specific surface area and charge transfer rate, thereby improving the oxidation of organic compounds. The detection limit for COD was established at 1.8 mg/L, with a range of 0-250 mg/L, using an oxidation potential of 0.90 V and an electrolysis time of 150 s at an initial electrolyte pH of 6 with 0.03 mol/L NaNO3. The electrode effectively oxidized organic compounds across this range and demonstrated tolerance to chloride concentrations up to 800 mg/L. Electrode stability was confirmed through 30 repetitive cycles with no significant performance degradation. The detection results for simulated water samples were in strong agreement with the results obtained from the dichromate colorimetric method, with a linear equation of y = 0.01x+1.11, with an R2 of 0.99. The detection outcomes for six different sources of real water samples indicated consistent correlation between the electrochemical COD detection method using the Ti/RuO2-IrO2 electrode and the dichromate colorimetric method. This research showed the Ti/RuO2-IrO2 electrode has certain potential as COD detection element, leveraging its high charge transfer rate and extensive active area.

Anodic oxidation using 3D carbon felt/PbO2 anode: a electron transfer-mediated system for degradation of Rhodamine B

This study investigates the use of porous structured carbon felt (CF) as a substrate for the preparation a lead dioxide (CF/PbO2) anode for the electrochemical oxidation of Rhodamine B (RhB). Compared to traditional titanium-based lead dioxide (Ti/PbO2) and graphite sheet-based lead dioxide (GS/PbO2) anodes, the CF/PbO2 anode exhibited superior electrocatalytic activity, achieving a RhB degradation efficiency exceeding 99%. After 10 cycles, the electrocatalytic activity of CF/PbO2 anode remained robust, with a degradation efficiency of over 97%. Fluorescence spectroscopy, quenching experiments, and electrochemical tests indicate that the electrochemical oxidation behaviour on CF/PbO2 and GS/PbO2 anodes was governed by direct electron transfer, while indirect oxidation via •HO radicals was pivotal for the Ti/PbO2 anode. LC-MS analysis identified the intermediates of RhB degradation, contributing to the proposed degradation pathway. This study provides an efficient anode for the electrochemical degradation of organic pollutants in water.

Amperometric bio-sensing of lactate and oxygen concurrently with local field potentials during status epilepticus

Epilepsy is a prevalent neurological disorder with a complex pathogenesis and unpredictable nature, presenting limited treatment options in >30 % of affected individuals. Neurometabolic abnormalities have been observed in epilepsy patients, suggesting a disruption in the coupling between neural activity and energy metabolism in the brain. In this study, we employed amperometric biosensors based on a modified carbon fiber microelectrode platform to directly and continuously measure lactate and oxygen dynamics in the brain extracellular space. These biosensors demonstrated high sensitivity, selectivity, and rapid response time, enabling in vivo measurements with high temporal and spatial resolution. In vivo recordings in the cortex of anaesthetized rats revealed rapid and multiphasic fluctuations in extracellular lactate and oxygen levels following neuronal stimulation with high potassium. Furthermore, real-time measurement of lactate and oxygen concentration dynamics concurrently with network electrical activity during status epilepticus induced by 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) demonstrated phasic changes in lactate levels that correlated with bursts of electrical activity, while tonic levels of lactate remained stable during seizures. This study highlights the complex interplay between lactate dynamics, electrical activity, and oxygen utilization in epileptic seizures.

PbO2 materials for electrochemical environmental engineering: A review on synthesis and applications

Lead dioxide (PbO₂) materials have been widely employed in various fields such as batteries, electrochemical engineering, and more recently environmental engineering as anode materials, due to their unique physicochemical properties. Key performances of PbO₂ electrodes, such as energy efficiency and space-time yield, are influenced by morphological as well as compositional factors. Micro-nano structure regulation and decoration of metal/non-metal on PbO₂ is an outstanding technique to revamp its electrocatalytic activities and enhance environmental engineering efficiency. The aim of this review is to comprehensively summarize the recent research progress in the morphology control, the structure constructions, and the element doping of PbO₂ materials, further with many environmental application cases evaluated. Concerning electrochemical environmental engineering, the lead dioxide employed in chemical oxygen demand detection, ozone generators, and wastewater treatment has been comprehensively reviewed. In addition, the future research perspectives, challenges and the opportunities on PbO₂ materials for environmental applications are proposed.

Water Quality Carbon Nanotube-Based Sensors Technological Barriers and Late Research Trends: A Bibliometric Analysis

Water is the key element that defines and individualizes our planet. Relative to body weight, water represents 70% or more for the majority of all species on Earth. Taking care of water as a whole is equivalent with taking care of the entire biodiversity or the whole of humanity itself. Water quality is becoming an increasingly important component of terrestrial life, hence intensive work is being conducted to develop sensors for detecting contaminants and assessing water quality and characteristics. Our bibliometric analysis is focused on water quality sensors based on carbon nanotubes and highlights the most important objectives and achievements of researchers in recent years. Due to important measurement characteristics such as sensitivity and selectivity, or low detection limit and linearity, up to the ability to measure water properties, including detection of heavy metal content or the presence of persistent organic compounds, carbon nanotube (CNT) sensors, taking advantage of available nanotechnologies, are becoming increasingly attractive. The conducted bibliometric analysis creates a visual, more efficient keystones mapping. CNT sensors can be integrated into an inexpensive real-time monitoring data acquisition system as an alternative for classical expensive and time-consuming offline water quality monitoring. The conducted bibliometric analysis reveals all connections and maps all the results in this water quality CNT sensors research field and gives a perspective on the approached methods on this specific type of sensor. Finally, challenges related to integration of other trends that have been used and proven to be valuable in the field of other sensor types and capable to contribute to the development (and outlook) for future new configurations that will undoubtedly emerge are presented.

Research on Micro-Quantitative Detection Technology of Simulated Waterbody COD Based on the Ozone Chemiluminescence Method

Chemical oxygen demand (COD), reflecting the degree of waterbody contaminated by reduction substances, is an important parameter for water quality monitoring. The existing measurement method of waterbody COD takes time and is a complex system, which cannot meet the real-time monitoring requirements of river pollution indicators. We developed the vortex t-structure microfluidic detection chip with the help of microfluidic technology and designed the COD detection system with a high integration degree based on the principle of ozone chemiluminescence, and we have also carried out research on a waterbody COD quantitative detection test. The test results show that the detection chip can generate quantitative and controllable ozone-based bubbles; it also shows the advantages of a simple system and short test time without environmental pollution, which provides some technical support for the online real-time monitoring of river water quality.

Enhanced perfluorooctane acid mineralization by electrochemical oxidation using Ti3+ self-doping TiO2 nanotube arrays anode

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is of increasing concern due to its worldwide application and extremely environmental persistence. Herein, we demonstrated the electrochemical degradation of PFOA with high efficiency using the Ti³⁺ self-doping TiO₂ nanotube arrays (Ti³⁺/TiO₂-NTA) anode. The fabricated Ti³⁺/TiO₂-NTA anode exhibited vertically aligned uniform nanotubes structure, and was demonstrated good performance on the electrochemical degradation of PFOA in water. The degradation rate, total organic carbon (TOC) removal rate and defluorination rate of PFOA reached 98.1 %, 93.3 % and 74.8 %, respectively, after electrolysis for 90 min at low current density of 2 mA cm^-2. The energy consumption (7.6 Wh L^-1) of this electrochemical oxidation system using Ti³⁺/TiO₂-NTA anode for PFOA degradation was about 1 order of magnitude lower than using traditional PbO₂ anodes. Cathodic polarization could effectively prolong the electrocatalytic activity of the anode by regenerating Ti³⁺ sites. PFOA molecular was underwent a rapidly mineralization to CO₂ and F^-, with only low concentration of short-chain perflfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) intermediates identified. A possible electrochemical degradation mechanism of PFOA was proposed, in which the initial direct electron transfer (DET) on the anode to yield PFOA free radicals (C₇F₁₅COO•) and hydroxyl radicals (•OH) oxidation were greatly enhanced. This presented study provides a novel approach for the purification of the recalcitrant PFOA from wastewaters.

Modification of Graphite Felt with Lead (II) Formate and Acetate—An Approach for Preparation of Lightweight Electrodes for a Lead-Acid Battery

Lead-acid battery (LAB) weight is a major downside stopping it from being adapted to electric/hybrid vehicles. Lead grids constitute up to 50% of LAB electrode’s weight and it only ensures electric connection to electrochemically active material and provides structural integrity. Using graphite felt (GF) as a current collector can reduce the electrode’s weight while increasing the surface area. Modification of GF with lead (II) oxide using impregnation and calcination techniques and lead (II) formate and acetate as precursors was conducted to produce composite electrodes. It was found that lead (II) formate is not a viable material for this purpose, whereas multiple impregnation in lead (II) acetate saturated solution and calcination in air leads to thermal destruction GF. However, impregnation and calcination under nitrogen atmosphere in three cycles produced a sample of good quality with a mass loading of lead (II) oxide that was 17.18 g g−1 GF. This equates to only 5.5% of the total mass of composite electrode to be GF, which is immensely lower than lead grid mass in traditional electrodes. This result shows that a possible lightweight alternative of LAB electrode can be produced using the proposed modification method.

Photochemiresistor Sensor Development Based on a Bismuth Vanadate Type Semiconductor for Determination of Chemical Oxygen Demand

The present paper describes the development of a novel photochemiresistor sensor for the determination of chemical oxygen demand (COD). A chemiresistive device was produced by a thin film of the monoclinic phase of bismuth vanadate deposited on an FTO glass surface. The resistive properties of the photosensor were carried out by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The electrical resistance of the platform was dependent on the presence of organic material in aqueous solution and the incidence of light. The decrease in resistance can be explained by considering that by increasing the amount of organic material, the amount of charge transferred to BiVO₄ increases, as does the amount of the photogenerated conduction band on the film. This behavior is not observed when carrying out the same measurements in the absence of light. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the linear response of the chemiresistor sensor is between 0.20 and 19.9 mg L^-1 COD at a fixed AC frequency of 0.1 Hz. There is a good correlation between the charge transfer resistance and COD concentration in the electrolyte solution. Quantification of COD in waste and lake waters was successfully performed using the novel photochemiresistor sensor. The results achieved in the analysis with the sensor are in accordance with the conventional method.

A nickel nanoparticle/nafion-graphene oxide modified screen-printed electrode for amperometric determination of chemical oxygen demand

A nickel nanoparticle/nafion-graphene oxide (NiNP/Nf-GO) modified screen-printed electrode (SPE) was developed for rapid and environmentally friendly electrochemical determination of chemical oxygen demand (COD). The morphology and the electrochemical performance of the SPEs with different surface modifications were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, amperometry, and cyclic voltammetry, respectively. Interestingly, incorporation of graphene oxide as supporting materials to the NiNP/Nf-GO modified SPE enables high catalyst loading and electrode contact, leading to excellent electrocatalytic oxidation ability. A flow detection system was constructed based the newly designed NiNP/Nf-GO modified SPE with USB connection, a 3D-printed thin-layer flow cell (TLFC), and a peristaltic pump. The flow detection system showed an excellent performance for COD analysis with a linear detection range of 0.1~400 mg L^-1 and a lower detection limit of 0.05 mg L^-1 with an oxidation potential of 0.45 V. The system was further applied to determine the COD in surface water samples. The results were consistent with those obtained by using the standard method (ISO 6060). Graphical abstract A novel nickel nanoparticle/nafion-graphene oxide (NiNP/Nf-GO) modified screen-printed electrode (SPE) with excellent electrocatalytic oxidation ability was designed and fabricated. This electrode with USB connection was applied in a flow detection system equipped with a 3D-printed thin-layer flow cell and a peristaltic pump for environmentally friendly electrochemical determination of chemical oxygen demand.

Hydroxyl multi-walled carbon nanotube-modified nanocrystalline PbO2 anode for removal of pyridine from wastewater

We prepared a hydroxyl multi-wall carbon nanotube-modified nanocrystalline PbO₂ anode (MWCNTs-OH-PbO₂) featuring high oxygen evolution potential, large effective area, and excellent electrocatalytic performance. The oxygen evolution potential and effective area of the MWCNTs-OH-PbO₂ electrode were 1.5 and 3.7-fold higher than the traditional PbO₂ electrode. Electrochemical degradation of pyridine in aqueous solution was investigated by using the MWCNTs-OH-PbO₂ anode. Based on pyridine decay rate (93.8%), total organic carbon reduction (84.6%), and energy consumption (78.8WhL^-1order^-1) under the optimal conditions, the MWCNTs-OH-PbO₂ electrode modified with MWCNTs-OH concentration of 1.0gL^-1 exhibited higher electrochemical oxidation ability than the traditional PbO₂ electrode. The intermediate, hydroxypyridine, was found at the first stage of electrolysis. The primary mineralization product, NO₃^-, was detected in aqueous solution after electrolysis. A possible electrochemical mineralization mechanism including two potential routes, i.e., via formation of small organic molecules by ring cleavage reaction and direct mineralization to CO₂ and NO₃^-, was proposed. The results demonstrated that the MWCNTs-OH-PbO₂ electrode exhibited high efficiency for pyridine mineralization in aqueous solution under mild conditions.