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Performance Evaluation of Active and Non-active Electrodes for Doxorubicin Electro-oxidation

MetadataDetails
Publication Date2020-06-02
JournalKnE Engineering
AuthorsEric de Souza Gil, Emily Kussmaul Gonçalves Moreno, Luane Ferreira Garcia, José J. Linares
InstitutionsUniversidade Federal de GoiĂĄs, Universidade de BrasĂ­lia
Citations4
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Technical Documentation & Analysis: High-Efficiency Doxorubicin Electro-oxidation using Boron-Doped Diamond (BDD) Anodes

Section titled “Technical Documentation & Analysis: High-Efficiency Doxorubicin Electro-oxidation using Boron-Doped Diamond (BDD) Anodes”

This research validates the superior performance of Boron-Doped Diamond (BDD) non-active electrodes (NAE) for the electrochemical remediation of Doxorubicin (DOX), a critical pharmaceutical micropollutant. 6CCVD provides the high-quality MPCVD BDD materials necessary to replicate and scale these high-efficiency systems.

  • BDD Superiority Confirmed: The BDD non-active electrode achieved 100% DOX degradation in 20 minutes, significantly outperforming the active AuO-TiO2@graphite electrode (40 minutes).
  • Energy Efficiency: BDD demonstrated exceptional energy efficiency, requiring only 0.462 kWh m-3 of energy consumption, compared to 1.12 kWh m-3 for the active electrode.
  • Mechanism Validation: BDD’s high efficiency is directly linked to its high oxygen evolution potential (2.2-2.6 V/EPH), which maximizes the generation of highly reactive hydroxyl radicals (‱OH) and minimizes parasitic side reactions.
  • Material Requirements: The study utilized commercial BDD electrodes (78.5 cm2 area), confirming the viability of large-area Polycrystalline Diamond (PCD) BDD for industrial flow reactors.
  • 6CCVD Value Proposition: 6CCVD specializes in manufacturing custom, large-area, heavy Boron-Doped Polycrystalline Diamond (BDD PCD) plates up to 125mm, providing the essential foundation for next-generation electrochemical water treatment systems.

The following table summarizes the critical performance metrics and experimental parameters achieved using the BDD non-active electrode (NAE) compared to the active electrode (AE).

ParameterValueUnitContext
Target PollutantDoxorubicin (DOX)N/APharmaceutical micropollutant
Initial DOX Concentration1.25mmol L-1Concentration in solution
Supporting ElectrolyteNaCl10 mmol L-1Used to generate chlorinated oxidants
Applied Voltage Source5.0VUsed in both AE and NAE experiments
BDD Anode Geometric Area78.5cm2Commercial electrode size used in flow reactor
BDD Degradation Time (100% Removal)20minSuperior performance time
AuO-TiO2@graphite Degradation Time (100% Removal)40minActive electrode performance time
BDD Energy Consumption (EC)0.462kWh m-3Highest energy efficiency achieved
AuO-TiO2@graphite Energy Consumption (EC)1.12kWh m-3Lower energy efficiency
BDD O2 Evolution Potential Range2.2 - 2.6V/EPHKey characteristic for ‱OH radical generation
BDD Chemical StabilityHighN/AInert under extreme conditions

The electrochemical remediation experiments relied on precise control of material properties and reactor conditions, highlighting the need for high-quality BDD substrates.

  1. Electrode Materials: Comparison between a commercial Boron-Doped Diamond (BDD) anode (Non-Active Electrode, NAE) and a nanostructured AuO-TiO2@graphite electrode (Active Electrode, AE).
  2. Electrolyte Preparation: DOX solutions (1.25 mmol L-1) were prepared in Milli-Q water with 10 mmol L-1 NaCl serving as the supporting electrolyte.
  3. BDD Reactor Configuration: Experiments were conducted in a filter press electrochemical reactor (DiaCleanÂź) using circular BDD electrodes (78.5 cm2 geometric area) separated by a 2 mm distance.
  4. Operation Mode: The BDD system was operated in galvanostatic mode with a solution flow rate of 400 mL min-1 (total volume 1000 mL).
  5. Monitoring: Degradation was tracked using UV-Vis spectrophotometry, scanning spectra from 190 to 800 nm.
  6. Performance Metric: Energy consumption (EC) was calculated using the formula: EC(kWh m-3) = (Ecell * I * t) / Vreactor, where Ecell is average cell voltage, I is applied current, t is electrolysis time (hours), and Vreactor is solution volume (m3).

6CCVD is uniquely positioned to supply the advanced MPCVD diamond materials required to scale up high-efficiency electrochemical remediation technologies based on BDD anodes.

The superior performance demonstrated in this study requires high-quality, heavily boron-doped diamond. 6CCVD recommends the following materials for replicating and advancing this research:

6CCVD MaterialDescriptionApplication Relevance
Heavy Boron-Doped PCDPolycrystalline Diamond (PCD) with high boron concentration for maximum conductivity and radical generation.Ideal for large-area industrial flow reactors (like the 78.5 cm2 electrode used), offering high current efficiency and stability.
Heavy Boron-Doped SCDSingle Crystal Diamond (SCD) BDD for fundamental research and high-precision micro-electrode arrays.Suitable for detailed mechanistic studies requiring ultra-low defect density and highly controlled doping profiles.
Undoped SCD SubstratesHigh-purity, optical-grade SCD plates.Used as high-quality, thermally stable substrates for subsequent thin-film deposition or specialized sensor applications.

The success of BDD anodes in flow reactors depends heavily on precise geometry, large surface area, and robust electrical contacts. 6CCVD offers comprehensive customization services to meet these demands:

  • Large-Area Plates: We provide Polycrystalline BDD plates up to 125mm in diameter, enabling the scale-up of high-throughput electrochemical reactors far beyond typical laboratory sizes.
  • Custom Dimensions and Shapes: We offer precision laser cutting and shaping services to match specific reactor designs (e.g., circular 78.5 cm2 electrodes or custom filter press geometries).
  • Thickness Control: BDD layer thickness can be controlled precisely from 0.1 ”m up to 500 ”m, optimizing cost and performance for specific current density requirements.
  • Surface Finish: We offer advanced polishing services for BDD PCD (Ra < 5 nm) to ensure optimal flow dynamics and minimize fouling in high-volume wastewater applications.
  • Integrated Metalization: 6CCVD provides in-house metalization services (Au, Pt, Ti, W, Cu) for creating robust, low-resistance electrical contacts, critical for maintaining the high current efficiency observed in BDD systems.

6CCVD’s in-house PhD team possesses deep expertise in MPCVD diamond growth and electrochemical applications. We offer specialized consultation for projects focused on:

  • Electrochemical Remediation: Optimizing BDD material selection (doping level, thickness, substrate type) for the degradation of pharmaceutical contaminants (Doxorubicin, Imatinib, Methotrexate, etc.).
  • Reactor Design: Assisting engineers in selecting the optimal diamond format (PCD vs. SCD) and surface preparation for flow-through or batch reactor configurations.
  • Material Integration: Providing guidance on metalization schemes and bonding techniques to ensure long-term stability and performance in corrosive, high-voltage environments.

For custom specifications or material consultation, visit 6ccvd.com or contact our engineering team directly. Global shipping (DDU default, DDP available) ensures rapid delivery of critical materials worldwide.

View Original Abstract

Electrochemical remediation is an innovative technique that utilizes electro-oxidation reactions to degrade micropollutants such as doxorubicin (DOX) that is a drug widely used to treat many types of cancer, and it is present in hospital effluents. The aim of this work is to evaluate the efficiency of active and non-active electrodes in DOX degradation during electrochemical treatments. AuO-TiO2@graphite, a nanostructured electrode, and BDD, a commercial electrode, were used as active and non-active electrodes respectively. DOX treatments were realized at concentration of 1.25 mmol L-1 in medium with 10 mmol L-1 NaCl as support electrolyte. Studies were realized in 5 V of voltage source. Results: The treatment of DOX with BDD promoted 100% of DOX degradation in 20 min, while the same result was obtained for the AuO-TiO2@graphite in 40 min of treatment. Also, the modified electrode presented an energy expenditure of 1.12 kWh m-3 and the BDD achieved 0.462 kWh m-3. Thus, the active and non-active electrodes were efficient to promote DOX degradation, and the BDD, the non-active electrode demonstrated a better performance. Keywords: Eletro-Oxidadion, Modified Graphite Anodes, BDD, Doxorubicin, Micropollutants