Getting started with Electrocoagulation (EC) or Electro-oxidation (EO) and unsure which electrode material to pick? This guide compares the most common plate materials, highlights when to use them, and shares a price list for our standard size 123 × 100 × 3 mm plus practical setup tips to save time and budget (1)(2)(3).
Quick technical note: EC uses sacrificial anodes (typically Fe/Al) that generate coagulants in situ, whereas EO relies on inert or coated anodes (e.g., Ti-DSA, Pt, BDD) to oxidize pollutants via surface-generated •OH and secondary oxidants. Correct material + operating window = higher removal and longer life (2)(3).
Standard Size & Price
Material | Size |
Iron | 123×100×3 mm |
Aluminum | 123×100×3 mm |
Magnesium | 123×100×3 mm |
Stainless Steel | 123×100×3 mm |
Graphite | 123×100×3 mm |
Titanium | 123×100×3 mm |
Titanium/PbO₂ | 123×100×3 mm |
Titanium/SnO₂ | 123×100×3 mm |
Titanium/Ru–Ir | 123×100×3 mm |
Titanium/Pt | 123×100×3 mm |
BDD (10 µm) | 123×100×3 mm |
BDD (20 µm) | 123×100×3 mm |
Which material fits which job?
Material | Best for | Why it’s good | Watch-outs |
Iron (Fe) | EC (general) | Very cost-effective for COD/color/metals removal | Produces Fe-sludge; life depends on water matrix (1)(2) |
Aluminum (Al) | EC (color/fluoride cases) | Fine flocs, easy to start | Usually shorter life than Fe; sensitive to pH/Cl⁻ (1) |
Magnesium (Mg) | Niche EC cases | Mg(OH)₂ aids capture of some species | Case-by-case; higher cost per life |
Stainless Steel (SS) | EO cathode / inert use | Robust, easy maintenance | Lower surface activity than Ti base |
Graphite | Cathode / inert | Corrosion-resistant, mid cost | Brittle; ensure firm clamping |
Titanium (Ti) | EO substrate | Chemically resistant, conductive | Mostly used as base for DSA (2) |
Ti/Ru–Ir (DSA) | Workhorse EO | Good oxidation, durable, widely used in practice | Below BDD/Pt for the most refractory wastes (6)(7) |
Ti/SnO₂ | Strong EO | High oxidation power at moderate cost | Typically shorter life than Ru–Ir DSA; case-specific (3)(8) |
Ti/PbO₂ | Strong EO | High OEP; effective for stubborn organics | Safety/lead handling must be rigorous (3)(9) |
Ti/Pt | Premium EO | Excellent durability and signal stability | High price (3) |
BDD (10–20 µm) | Tough EO / research | Very high OEP; efficient •OH generation; excels at mineralization of refractory organics | Premium price; 20 µm generally longer life (4)(5) |
How to choose (fast) and avoid rework
Starting EC: Begin with Fe as the main anode and Al as a comparator. Tune pH, conductivity, and inter-electrode gap to find the sweet spot for your water (1)(10).
Polishing after EC: Add an EO stage with Ti/Ru–Ir (DSA) for a strong cost-to-lifetime balance in real plants (6)(7).
Very refractory streams (e.g., dyes, phenolics, some PPCPs): Consider BDD first; if budget is mid-to-high, Ti/SnO₂ or Ti/PbO₂ can also perform well under the right conditions (4)(5)(8)(9).
Operating tips that actually help
For bench/batch EC, many studies start around 10–50 A·m⁻² current density, then optimize by water type and plate spacing (1)(10).
Periodic polarity reversal reduces passivation/scaling on sacrificial plates (1).
For EO, pre-filtration and managing pH & conductivity to the anode type protect service life and improve kinetics (2)(3)(4).
FAQ
Standard size: 123×100×3 mm (customization available).
Typical service life: EC plates (Fe/Al) last months, depending on water and maintenance; EO anodes (DSA/Pt/BDD) commonly last years under proper operation (2)(3).
Can one plate do both EC and EO? We recommend separate plates: EC uses sacrificial Fe/Al, EO uses inert/coated anodes like Ti-DSA, Pt, or BDD (2)(3).
References
(1) Mollah, M.Y.A.; Schennach, R.; Parga, J.R.; Cocke, D.L. Electrocoagulation (EC)—Science and Applications. Journal of Hazardous Materials (2001).
(2) Chen, G. Electrochemical technologies in wastewater treatment. Separation and Purification Technology (2004).
(3) Sirés, I.; Brillas, E. Electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs) for water treatment: today and tomorrow. Environmental Science and Pollution Research (2012).(4) Martínez-Huitle, C.A.; Brillas, E. Electrochemical oxidation of organic contaminants using diamond anodes. Chemical Reviews (2009).
(5) Panizza, M.; Cerisola, G. Electrochemical oxidation of organic pollutants. Chemical Reviews (2009).
(6) Trasatti, S. Electrocatalysis in the anodic evolution of oxygen/chlorine on RuO₂-based dimensionally stable anodes. Electrochimica Acta (2000).
(7) Comninellis, C.; Kapalka, A.; et al. Electrochemistry for the Environment. Springer (2008) — chapters on DSA practice and EO.
(8) Eguiluz, K.I.B.; Salazar-Banda, G.R.; et al. Sb-doped SnO₂ anodes for electrochemical oxidation: synthesis, properties and applications. Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry (review, 2010s–2018).
(9) Zhou, Q.; et al. Lead dioxide (PbO₂) anodes in wastewater electro-oxidation: a review. Science of the Total Environment (2022).
(10) Anglada, Á.; Urtiaga, A.; Ortiz, I. Contribution of electrochemical oxidation to wastewater treatment: parameters and kinetics. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology (2009).
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