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The electrochemical degradation of tetracycline antibiotics (TCs), such as tetracycline (TC), oxytetracycline (OTC) and chlortetracycline (CTC), was investigated by using SnO2-Sb2O3 and PbO2 modified Ti electrode (Ti/SnO2-Sb2O3/PbO2 anode). The modified electrode was prepared with a SnO2-Sb2O3 interlayer and a PbO2 active layer on the surface of Ti sheet, and characterized by scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and cyclic voltammetry. The effects of supporting electrolyte, current density and the initial concentration of TCs on electrochemical degradation were also examined. For the degradation of 50 mg*L[?]1 TC, OTC and CTC at 5 mA [?] cm[?]2, the energy consumption were 39.9, 40.0 and 37.7 kWh[?]mol[?]1, and the removal efficiencies could reach 79.5%, 82.0% and 90.3% for 2 h, respectively. The degradation processes followed the first-order kinetic model, and the rate constants of TC, OTC and CTC were 0.78, 0.84 and 0.97 h[?]1, respectively. The possible degradation pathways were proposed through monitoring the degradation products of TCs. The results from bioluminescence inhibition assays suggested the residual biotoxicity after complete TCs degradation, and extra reaction was necessary to reduce biotoxicity. Overall, the electrochemical degradation using Ti/SnO2-Sb2O3/PbO2 anode has a great potential to remove TCs from wastewater.

The electrochemical degradation of tetracycline antibiotics (TCs), such as tetracycline (TC), oxytetracycline (OTC) and chlortetracycline (CTC), was investigated by using SnO2-Sb2O3and PbO2modified Ti electrode (Ti/SnO2-Sb2O3/PbO2anode). The modified electrode was prepared with a SnO2-Sb2O3interlayer and a PbO2active layer on the surface of Ti sheet, and characterized by scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and cyclic voltammetry. The effects of supporting electrolyte, current density and the initial concentration of TCs on electrochemical degradation were also examined. For the degradation of 50 mg·L−1TC, OTC and CTC at 5 mA ⋅ cm−2, the energy consumption were 39.9, 40.0 and 37.7 kWh⋅mol−1, and the removal efficiencies could reach 79.5%, 82.0% and 90.3% for 2 h, respectively. The degradation processes followed the first-order kinetic model, and the rate constants of TC, OTC and CTC were 0.78, 0.84 and 0.97 h−1, respectively. The possible degradation pathways were proposed through monitoring the degradation products of TCs. The results from bioluminescence inhibition assays suggested the residual biotoxicity after complete TCs degradation, and extra reaction was necessary to reduce biotoxicity. Overall, the electrochemical degradation using Ti/SnO2-Sb2O3/PbO2anode has a great potential to remove TCs from wastewater.