Electrochemical oxidation of acetamiprid using Yb-doped PbO2 electrodes: Electrode characterization, influencing factors and degradation pathways.

Graphical abstract Highlights • Yb-doped PbO 2 electrode were prepared by electrodeposition methods. • The addition of Yb can enhance the stability and electrochemical activity of PbO 2 electrode. • Electrocatalytic degradation of acetamiprid was investigated by Yb-doped PbO 2 anode. • The intermediates were identified and oxidation mechanism of acetamiprid was elucidated. • The Yb-doped PbO 2 electrode is promising anode material for pollutants degradation. Abstract The Yb-doped PbO 2 electrodes were fabricated by electrodeposition method. SEM and XRD experiments revealed that the adulteration of Yb can decrease the crystal grain size and make the electrodes more compact. Electrochemical measurements, accelerated service lifetime and bulk electrolysis experiments proved that Yb-doped PbO 2 electrodes had higher oxygen evolution overpotential, stability and acetamiprid removal ratio than pure PbO 2 electrodes. The effect of operating parameters, such as current density, initial acetamiprid concentration, and pH value, on the electrocatalytic degradation of acetamiprid were systematically studied. The electrocatalytic oxidation reaction of acetamiprid on Yb-doped PbO 2 electrodes was highly effective, which obeyed the pseudo-first-order kinetics model. Intermediates analysis and electrocatalytic degradation mechanism of acetamiprid by Yb-doped PbO 2 electrodes were implemented, and the degradation pathways were divided into three different sub-routes due to three function groups on acetamiprid initially attacked by hydroxyl radicals. Finally, all the byproducts were decontaminated into CO 2 and H 2 O. These results proved that Yb-doped PbO 2 electrodes have more promising application potential for the electrocatalytic degradation of refractory organic pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]