Degradation of piroxicam by electrochemical oxidation at DSA electrodes

The presence of pharmaceuticals in water is undesirable because of their adverse effects on aquatic organisms even in concentration of ng-µg/L. This paper dealt with the degradation of piroxicam (PXC), a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), by electrochemical oxidation at dimensionally stable anodes (DSA). Two compositions of DSA were used: Ti/RuO2-TiO2 and Ti/RuO2/SnO2-Sb2O5-RuO2. Current densities of 200 and 300 A/m2 were applied for electrolyses time of 60, 120 and 180 minutes in neutral or basic medium. The ultraviolet (UV) spectra of the electrolysed solutions were recorded and total organic carbon (TOC) analyses were carried out to assess the degradation process. The most effective in degradation of PXC was the anodic composition Ti/RuO2-TiO2 in basic medium.