Electrochemical treatment of cefalexin with Sb-doped SnO2 anode: Anode characterization and parameter effects

In this study, it was aimed to evaluate direct oxidation of aqueous solution containing cefalexin antibiotic with new generation Sn/Sb/Ni: 500/8/1 anode. The fact that there is no such a study on treatment of cefalexin with these new anode made this study unique. According to the operating parameters evaluation COD graphs showed clearer results compared to TOC and CLX and thus, it was it was chosen as major parameter. Furthermore, pseudo-first degree kd values were calculated from CLX results to show more accurate and specific results. Experimental results showed that after 60 min of electrochemical oxidation, complete removal of COD and TOC was accomplished with 750 mg L-1 KCl, at pH 7, 50 mA cm-2 current density and 1 cm anode-cathode distance. Also, the stability of the Sn/Sb/Ni anode was evaluated by taking SEM and AFM images and XRD analysis before and after of electrochemical oxidation processes. According to the results, it was not occurred too much change on the anode surface even after 300 h of electrolysis. Thus, it was thought that the anode material was not corroded to a large extent. Furthermore, the removal efficiencies were very high for almost all the time and conditions. According to the results of the study, electrochemical oxidation with new generation Sn/Sb/Ni anodes for the removal of cefalexin antibiotic was found very successful and applicable due to require less reaction time complete mineralization and doesn't require pH adjustment step compared to other studies in literature. In future studies, different antibiotic types should be studied with this anode and maybe with real wastewaters to test applicability of the process in treatment of pharmaceutical wastewaters containing antibiotics, in a better way.