Preparation and investigation of Ti-based SnO₂ electrode with an inter layer containing Co element

Ti-base tin dioxide electrode with an inter-layer containing Co element was prepared by thermal deposition technology. Taking phenol as the model substrate, the electro-catalytic oxidation characteristics of prepared electrode were investigated. The micrograph of the electrode surface, the element composition of different layers and the chemical environment of Sn and Co in the electrode surface were analyzed with the help of SEM, EDX and XPS. It was found that by covering an inter-layer onto the Ti base metal, the service life of the tin dioxide electrode increased while the electro-catalytic activity on phenol degradation decreased. The redox couple of Co²⁺/Co³⁺ was believed to be responsible for long service life and low electro-catalytic activity of the Ti/Co/SnO₂ electrode.