SrFe(x)Ni(1−x)O(3−δ) Perovskites Coated on Ti Anodes and Their Electrocatalytic Properties for Cleaning Nitrogenous Wastewater

Perovskites (ABO(3)), regarded as the antioxidative anode materials in electrocatalysis to clean nitrogenous wastewater, show limited oxygen vacancies and conductivity due to their traditional semiconductor characteristic. To further improve the conductivity and electrocatalytic activity, the ferrum (Fe) element was first doped into the SrNiO(3) to fabricate the SrFe(x)Ni(1−x)O(3−δ) perovskites, and their optimum fabrication conditions were determined. SrFe(x)Ni(1−x)O(3−δ) perovskites were coated on a titanium (Ti) plate to prepare the SrFe(x)Ni(1−x)O(3−δ)/Ti electrodes. Afterward, one SrFe(x)Ni(1−x)O(3−δ)/Ti anode and two stainless steel cathodes were combined to assemble the electrocatalytic reactor (ECR) for cleaning simulated nitrogenous wastewater ((NH(4))(2)SO(4) solution, initial total nitrogen (TN) concentration of 150 mg L(−1)). Additionally, SrFe(x)Ni(1−x)O(3−δ) materials were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR), Raman spectra, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and Tafel curves, respectively. The results indicate that SrFe(x)Ni(1−x)O(3−δ) materials are featured with the perovskite crystal structure and Fe is appreciably doped into SrNiO(3). Moreover, the optimum conditions for fabricating SrFe(x)Ni(1−x)O(3−δ) were the reaction time of 120 min for citrate sol-gel, a calcination temperature of 700 °C, and Fe doping content of x = 0.3. SrFe(0.3)Ni(0.7)O(2.85), and perovskite performs attractive electrocatalytic activity (TN removal ratio of 91.33%) and ECR conductivity of 3.62 mS cm(−1) under an electrocatalytic time of 150 min. Therefore, SrFe(x)Ni(1−x)O(3−δ) perovskites are desirable for cleaning nitrogenous wastewater in electrocatalysis.