Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs degradation by electrochemical methods

Ibuprofen (IBP) was chosen as a model for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and its degradation in aqueous solution was carried out by electrochemical oxidation on Dimensionally Stable Anodes (DSA). The DSA had the compositions: Ti/Ru02/SnO2-SbO5-RuO2. The electrolysis were carried in basic medium by using solutions of IBP or IBP and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) in 0.1 M Na2SO4 supporting electrolyte. The removal of IBP was assessed by recording UV spectra and total organic carbon (TOC) or chemical oxygen demand (COD) of the electrolysed solutions. The results showed the effectiveness of DSA in IBP degradation in aqueous solutions both in the matrix that contains only IBP and those containing also CMC.