Optimized Electrocatalytic Adsorption Degradation of Oilfield Produced Water Using New Dimension Stable Anode

Abstract

In this study, we synthesized a novel electrode for electrocatalytic adsorption by fabricating ACF‐TiO2 via the sol‐gel method and binding it with IrO2‐TaO2. The electrode's effectiveness in treating oilfield produced water (OPW) was evaluated using batch techniques. Comprehensive characterization, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy‐dispersive spectrometry (EDS), Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller (BET) analysis, and Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, confirmed uniform TiO2 loading onto the ACF surface, preserving structural integrity. BET analysis indicated increased mesopore volume and enhanced organic adsorption capacity without compromising microporous structure. Additionally, FTIR analysis revealed the emergence of functional groups conducive to adsorption and catalytic reactions. Freundlich isotherms and pseudo‐first‐order kinetics best fit the adsorption data. Remarkably, even after five cycles, the electrode maintained high removal efficiencies for chemical oxygen demand (COD) and oil content at 91.35 % and 91.12 %, respectively. We further investigated the complex phenomena of material adsorption, electrochemical oxidation, and desorption during electrocatalytic adsorption, highlighting the importance of solid‐phase adsorption and liquid‐phase electrocatalytic oxidative decomposition in OPW treatment. Comparison with similar electrodes and DSA electrodes demonstrated the superior performance and practicality of the IrO2‐TaO2‐ACF(TiO2) electrode. Its cost‐effectiveness and regeneration method further enhance its applicability in real‐world scenarios, emphasizing its potential in water treatment.