Electrochemical water treatment technologies have emerged as highly efficient strategies for environmental remediation, yet their large-scale implementation remains constrained by electrode performance and longevity. The fabrication of dimensionally stable anodes (DSAs) through precise coating methodologies critically determines their electrocatalytic activity, cost-effectiveness, and operational stability. This review systematically evaluates and compares eleven major electrode coating techniques, bridging the knowledge gap between fundamental material science and practical engineering applications. The study critically analyzes the underlying mechanisms, strengths, and inherent limitations of vapor-phase methods (CVD and ALD), solution-based processes (sol-gel, co-precipitation, solvothermal), electrochemical techniques (electrodeposition and electroless plating), thermal decomposition, and mechanical approaches (dip coating, spin coating, and dry coating). Through comprehensive comparative tables, these methods are assessed based on scalability, coating uniformity, pollutant degradation efficiency, and economic viability. Furthermore, the review addresses the persistent deactivation challenges associated with conventional metal oxide coatings (e.g., TiO2, SnO2) and highlights the promising potential of emerging materials, such as tungsten trioxide (WO3) on aluminum substrates. Current obstacles in scaling up from laboratory prototypes to industrial reactors treating real wastewater are discussed, alongside a strategic perspective on future research directions aimed at developing robust, cost-effective, and high-performance coated electrodes for sustainable water purification.
Hamza et al. (Fri,) studied this question.