Photo electrocatalytic degradation 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid in water using NiTiO2-NT/AC-PTFE electrode under ultraviolet and visible irradiation: Electrode fabrication and toxicity test

• The photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) degradation of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) was investigated using specially fabricated NiTiO 2 -NT/AC-PTFE electrodes. • NiTiO 2 -NT/AC-PTFE electrodes were prepared by anodization, electrodeposition of Ni into TiO 2 nanotubes, and incorporation of activated carbon with polytetrafluoroethylene. • UV light resulted in higher degradation efficiency compared to visible light, with optimal performance at a nickel concentration of 0.5 mg/L. • Under optimum conditions (90-minute reaction time, 0.1 A current, 125 mg/L electrolyte concentration, and UV light source), a 2,4-D removal efficiency of 90% was achieved. • The PEC process was evaluated under both UV and visible light irradiation. Additionally, toxicity tests were conducted using Chlorella vulgaris microalgae to assess environmental impact. The degradation of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) pesticide by photo-electrocatalytic process (PEC) equipped with special NiTiO 2 -NT/AC-PTFE electrodes was evaluated. The NiTiO 2 -NT/AC-PTFE electrodes were prepared by electrodepositing method and doping Ni into TiO 2 nanotubes. Fabricated electrodes were that Ni doping, increases the removal efficiency of 2,4-D in the UV and visible light range. Characterized using SEM, EDX, and XRD analyses. The results showed that the use of an ultraviolet light source indicated a higher degradation in nickel concentration of 0.5 mg/L compared to 0.25 mg/L. Best results were achieved under the condition of a 90-minute timeout, 0.1 A current, electrolyte concentration of 125 mg/L, and UV light source and the pesticide removal efficiency was 90%. Therefore, the PEC process with the NiTiO 2 -NT/AC-PTFE electrode is as a relatively high-performance process for degrading 2,4-D from aqueous solutions. The organic byproducts were also identified by GC–MS analysis and toxicity tests were carried out by Chlorella Vulgaris. The high concentration of pesticides increases the inhibition of algae growth due to their effects on algae.