Chromium carbide (Cr3C2) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) improved Ti/SnO2-Sb2O4 electrodes were successfully fabricated using pulse electro-co-deposition technique. The morphologies and phase constituents of these electrodes were characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The service lifetime of anode was significantly increased by adding Cr3C2. The service lifetime of Ti/SnO2-Sb2O4-Cr3C2 and Ti/SnO2-Sb2O4-CNT-Cr3C2 electrode was 7.4 times and 5.6 times longer than that of the Ti/SnO2-Sb2O4 electrode, respectively. The catalytic activity of phenol oxidation on these electrodes was systematically investigated by the cyclic voltammetry and the chemical oxygen demand (COD) test. The Ti/SnO2-Sb2O4-CNT-Cr3C2 electrode shows the highest evolution oxygen potential, COD removal and current efficiency (CE). (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.