Preparation of g-C3N4/Ce-ZnO/Ti electrode to use in visible light photo-electrocatalysis process

Photo-ectrocatalysis (EPC) process is considered as a promising and innovative method for wastewater treatment [1]. This process as a combination of photocatalysis and external electric field, has been shown to exhibit very high treatment efficacy for the removal of organic compounds [2].In this study, g-C3N4 and Ce-ZnO particles were prepared and simultaneously immobilized on the surface of titanium plate with electrophoretic deposition method [3]. Characterizations of the prepared g-C3N4/Ce-ZnO/Ti electrode were performed using DRS, XRD and SEM analyses. Visible light photo-electrocatalytic degradation of an antibiotic using the g-C3N4/Ce-ZnO/Ti electrode was studied. The effect of operating variables i.e. applied bias potential, catalyst electrode number(s), and pH on the antibiotic degradation efficiency was investigated. Using optimum conditions of pH =7, applied bias potential of 0.9 V and in the present of two catalyst electrodes, 80% degradation efficiency was obtained. The catalyst electrode was enough stable to be used in successive treatment experiments.