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We report a facile and controllable approach to design anodic catalysts with different surface morphologies. The RuO-TiO anodes are directly grown in situ on the surface of Ti substrate under certain hydrothermal conditions. X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectra, cyclic voltammetry, and linear scanning voltammetry (LSV) were used to scrutinize the electrodes and the electrochemical activity. The experimental results indicate that solvothermal crystallization in the presence of hydrochloric acid plays a critical role in regulating the catalyst size and microstructure during the nucleation and growth process of RuO-TiO. The designed RuO-TiO/Ti anode with a nano-flowerlike structure displays significantly enhanced activity toward anodic chlorine evolution reaction (CER) compared to the other two morphology anodes. Such excellent performance of RuO-TiO/Ti is explained in terms of the small charge transfer resistance and the unique surface structure with more active sites to be utilized during CER. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The (RuTiSnSb)O-TiO nanotubes (TNTs) anode has been prepared via anodization, deposition, and annealing. X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and linear scanning voltammetry were used to scrutinize the electrodes and the electrochemical activity. The results indicate that highly ordered TNTs with large specific surface area could be implanted with active metal oxides. The catalyst firmly binds with the TNTs and enhances the electrochemical stability of the electrode. It displays high over-potential for oxygen evolution reaction. Accordingly, the constructed (RuTiSnSb)O-TNTs anode exhibits a greater potential difference (Δ E) between the evolutions of oxygen and chlorine than that exhibited by the traditional dimensionally stable anode, which is beneficial for improving the selectivity toward chlorine evolution reaction. This superior performance is explained in terms of the surface properties and geometric structure of coated catalyst, as well as the electrochemical selectivity ascribed by the addition of tin and antimony species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]