An anode and cathode cooperative oxidation system constructed with Ee-GF as anode and CuFe2O4/Cu2O/Cu@EGF as cathode for the efficient removal of sulfamethoxazole

This study aimed to further improve the degradation efficiency of pollutants by electrochemical oxidation system and reduce the consumption of electric energy. A simple method of electrochemical exfoliation was used to modify graphite felt (GF) to prepare an anode material (Ee-GF) with high degradation performance. An anode and cathode cooperative oxidation system was constructed with Ee-GF as the anode and CuFe2O4/Cu2O/[email protected] as the cathode to efficiently degrade sulfamethoxazole (SMX). Complete degradation of SMX was achieved within 30 min. Compared with anodic oxidation system alone, the degradation time of SMX was reduced by half and the energy consumption was reduced by 66.8 %. The system displayed excellent performance for the degradation of different concentrations (10–50 mg L−1) of SMX, different pollutants, and under different water quality conditions. In addition, the system still maintained 91.7 % removal rate of SMX after ten consecutive runs. At least 12 degradation products and seven possible degradation routes of SMX were generated in the degradation process by the combined system. The eco-toxicity of degradation products of SMX was reduced after the proposed treatment. This study provided a theoretical basis for the safe, efficient, and low energy consumption removal of antibiotic wastewater.