Preparation of PEG-Bi-PbO₂ electrode and investigation on its catalytic performance

Co-doped PEG-Bi-PbO₂ composite electrodes, containing Bi³⁺ and polyethylene glycol (PEG), were fabricated by a simple electrodeposition method on the Ti substrates. The preparation technological process and the degradation performance of the PEG-Bi-PbO₂ electrode towards P-nitrophenol (PNP) were investigated. The PEG-Bi-PbO₂ electrode was characterized by XRD, SEM, CV, and EIS. The results indicated that compared to the pure PbO₂ and Bi-doped PbO₂ electrodes, the PEG-Bi-PbO₂ electrode exhibited the most uniform distribution of the active surface layer, the smallest particles, and the highest oxygen evolution potential (OEP). And PEG-Bi-modified PbO₂ anode displays superb stability and catalytic activity. Moreover, the electrode exhibited excellent electrochemical oxidation activity on the degradation of PNP with a degradation efficiency of 92.3% achieved at 20 mA/cm², \({{\text{C}}}_{{{\text{Na}}}_{2}{{\text{SO}}}_{4}}\) ${\text{C}}_{{\text{Na}}_2{\text{SO}}_4}$  = 0.08 mol/L, pH = 5.0, and 60 °C. The degradation process was consistent with the quasi-primary kinetics.