Abstract
This research examined the electrocatalytic removal of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin (CIP) using Ti/TiO(2) anodes modified with ZrO(2) and Bi(2)O(3) nanoparticles. The anodes were prepared utilizing the simple electrophoretic deposition technique, leading to the development of a uniform, dense, and stable nanoparticle coating. Physicochemical characterization through field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) demonstrated a porous morphology and confirmed the presence of Ti, O, Zr, and Bi within the coating, while X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the crystalline TiO(2) matrix and the presence of ZrO(2) and Bi(2)O(3) phases. Furthermore, electrochemical assessments indicated that the ternary nanocomposite Ti/TiO(2)-ZrO(2)-Bi(2)O(3) anode exhibited reduced charge transfer resistance (Rct = 8925 Ω/cm(2)), enhanced electrocatalytic performance, and a significantly longer lifespan (approximately 150 h) compared to other samples. Moreover, according to the results derived from modeling with R(2) = 0.9781, the influence of operational variables was examined, revealing that acidic pH, minimal Na(2)SO(4) concentration, moderate current density, and suitable process duration significantly enhanced the removal efficiency. Ultimately, the results suggest that the proposed anode has significant potential to provide researchers with new opportunities for the design and improvement of anodes.