Simultaneous degradation of 30 pharmaceuticals by anodic oxidation: Main intermediaries and by-products

Abstract The anodic oxidation (AO) of 30 pharmaceuticals including antibiotics, hormones, antihistaminics, anti-inflammatories, antidepressants, antihypertensives, and antiulcer agents, in solutions containing different supporting electrolytes media (0.05 M Na2SO4, 0.05 M NaCl, Na2SO4 + 0.05 M NaCl) at natural pH was studied. A boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrode a stainless-steel were used as anode cathode, respectively, three current densities 6, 20, 40 mA cm?2 applied. results showed high mineralization rates, above 85%, all the tested electrolytic media. 25 intermediaries produced during electrooxidation identified, depending on electrolyte together with formation carboxylic acids, NO3?, SO42? NH4+ ions. intermediates chloride medium an increase absorbance. Finally, real secondary effluent spiked treated by AO applying 6 mA cm?2 without addition electrolyte, reaching c.a. 90% after 300 min, energy consumption 18.95 kW h m?3 equivalent to 2.90 USD m?3. degradation scheme for mixture emerging contaminants both is proposed. Thus, application generates concentration hydroxyl radicals that favors present sample.