Impact of Cathodic\nScaling on Electrocatalytic Degradation\nof Organic Pollutants

Electrochemical technologies play an important role in\nthe effective\nmanagement of industrial wastewater. However, a persistent challenge\nlies in the diminished treatment efficiency stemming from the accumulation\nof scale formation on cathodes after prolonged operational cycles.\nIn this study, we delve into the intricate scaling mechanisms exhibited\nby various cathode materials in solution. Our findings reveal that\nCu and Be–Cu alloy electrodes are particularly susceptible\nto scaling effects, whereas Ni and Fe electrodes exhibit more resilient\nbehavior. Furthermore, we elucidate the contribution of specific variables,\nsuch as the temperature and voltage, to the promotion of scale deposition\non Cu cathode surfaces. Meanwhile, we uncover that an elevated Mg<sup>2+</sup> concentration acts as an inhibitor to the growth of CaCO<sub>3</sub> crystals. To augment our understanding of the practical implications,\nwe simulate a dyeing wastewater scenario and observe that the scaling\nprocess significantly influences the electrocatalytic degradation\nefficiencies for dyes. This comprehensive study offers profound insights\ninto the development of anti-scaling strategies in electrochemical\nwater treatment processes.