Electrochemical Oxidation of Chlortetracycline Using Ti/IrO2 and Ti/PbO2 Anode Electrodes: Application of Experimental Design Methodology

The degradation of chlortetracycline hydrochloride in aqueous medium (initial concentration of 10 mg/L) has been studied by electrooxidation process using Ti/PbO2 and Ti/IrO2 anode electrodes. The performance of the electrolytic cell resulted from its capability of reacting on pollutants by using both effects of electrolysis. Indeed, the organic pollutants can be destroyed at the electrode surface where hydroxyl radicals are generated (direct effect), and they can be simultaneously oxidized in solution by means of active chlorine (indirect effect). Different operating parameters, such as current density, reaction time, and temperature, were investigated. The optimal experimental parameters for chlortetracycline degradation have been investigated by using a central composite design (CCD) methodology. It has been demonstrated that under the optimal conditions determined by this method, electrooxidation can economically be applied to oxidize chlortetracycline (96% of degradation for a total cost of US$3.23 per gram of chlortetracycline removed). (C) 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.