Removal of meropenem from environmental matrices by electrochemical oxidation using Co/Bi/TiO(2)nanotube electrodes

Degradation of meropenemviaelectrochemical oxidation was investigated for the first time. A TiO(2)nanotube array (TiO(2)NTA) was modified by co-doping cobalt and bismuth (Co/Bi/TiO(2)NTA) to enhance the anode stability/lifetime and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS,e.g.(OH)-O-center dot). A series of anodic oxidation tests were carried out to study the effects of operating parameters, including current density (4-12 mA cm(-2)) and presence of different ions (Cl-, HCO3-, and SO42-), on the degradation of meropenem. With an applied current density of 10 mA cm(-2)and an initial concentration of 500 mu g L-1, similar to 94% of meropenem was removed in 15 min. The presence of Cl(-)and SO42- accelerated meropenem degradation, while HCO3- suppressed the removal. The transformation products were also investigated using 2D-NMR and LC/MS, where C7N2O2H12 was identified as one of the main intermediates. Results from CV measurements and scavenger tests indicated that both direct degradation and indirect reactionviathe formation of ROS contributed to meropenem removal. Electrochemical oxidation of meropenem (500 mu g L-1) was also evaluated in environmental matrices, where similar to 77% removal (E(EO)6.988 kW h m(-3)) with similar to 56% TOC mineralization and similar to 73% removal (E(EO)9.026 kW h m(-3)) with similar to 55% TOC mineralization were achieved in RO concentrate (10 mA cm(-2)) and secondary effluent (4 mA cm(-2)), respectively. According to the accelerated lifetime test results, the lifetime of Co/Bi/TiO(2)NTA anode under 40, 20, 10, and 5 mA cm(-2)can be estimated to be 1337, 5873, 25 806, and 113 383 hours, respectively, demonstrating the great potential of Co/Bi/TiO(2)NTA as a stable and cost-effective anode material for the removal of recalcitrant organic pollutants from environmental matrices.