Investigating the Oxidative Degradation of Amoxicillin on Pt-RuO₂ Electrodes: Insights into Surface Stability and Halide Effects

This study investigated the electrochemical oxidation of amoxicillin using a platinum-ruthenium oxide (Pt-RuO₂) electrode in various supporting electrolytes: KClO₄, HClO₄, H₂SO₄, and NaOH. The Pt-RuO₂ electrode exhibited a robust electrochemical response across all tested media, with higher catalytic activity observed in acidic environments. A surface inhibition effect was observed with increasing amoxicillin concentration, limiting the availability of active sites on the electrode. Additionally, the pH of the medium impacted the reduction peaks, with a consistent decline in intensity correlating with increased acidity. Chloride ions (Cl⁻) further improved the oxidation peak, indicating a catalytic role in the oxidation process. These findings provide insights into optimizing the electrochemical degradation of amoxicillin and highlight the importance of medium composition in influencing electrode performance. Chronoamperometry confirmed the formation of an inhibitory surface layer. These results underscore the role of medium composition in optimizing electrochemical degradation efficiency.