Design, fabrication and high efficient visible-light assisted photoelectric-synergistic performance of 3-D mesoporous DSA electrodes

Abstract Novel photoelectrode was fabricated by using 3-D mesoporous Ti/Meso-TiO2/SnO2–Sb/SnO2–Sb–Ce dimensionally stable anode (DSA) as the basic film. Three kinds of Deguass-P25, TiO2–SnO2 and TiO2–SnO2–Sb–Ce photocatalysis were separately loaded on the basic electrode for the comparison and design of photoelectric-synergistic DSA electrode with high efficiency. Their morphologies and phase compositions were characterized by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. Study shows that the five coating layers of TiO2–SnO2–Sb–Ce exhibits the best photoelectric activity to degrade the methylene blue solution. The current density of the photoelectric catalysis is 65% higher than the sum of the photocatalysis and electrocatalysis. The photoelectric decolorization ratio is 9.31 and 1.83 times more than that of photocatalysis and electrocatalysis, respectively. The visible-light assisted photoelectric-synergistic performance occurs when the light intensity is above 30 mW·cm− 2. The photoelectric decolorization ratio under 100 mW·cm− 2 achieves 97.8%, which is 1.38 times more than that of 30 mW·cm− 2. The supporting electrolyte of sodium sulfate and initial concentration of methylene blue are also investigated in this paper. The visible-light assisted photoelectric catalysis process can effectively degrade the organic pollutant under low voltage and has great significance in reducing energy consumption.