Remediation of persistent organic pollutants in aqueous systems by electrochemical activation of persulfates: A review

• Published in: Journal of environmental management Vol. 260; p. 110125
• Main Authors: Zhi, Dan, Lin, Yinghui, Jiang, Li, Zhou, Yaoyu, Huang, Anqi, Yang, Jian, Luo, Lin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 15.04.2020
• Subjects: Electrochemical activation; Environmental Pollutants; Environmental remediation; Environmental Restoration and Remediation; Influencing factors; Mechanisms; Oxidation-Reduction; Persulfates; Practical application; Sulfates; Water; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Water Purification; Environmental remediation; Mechanisms; Practical application; Persulfates; Electrochemical activation; Influencing factors
• ISSN: 0301-4797; 1095-8630
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110125

Sulfate-radical-based advanced oxidation processes (SR-AOPs) have been widely applied in environmental remediation during the past decade, especially in the degradation of refractory organic contaminants. The electrochemical method, which is considered as one of the most efficient ways to generate sulfate radical, has been extensively investigated for the activation of persulfate recently. This work presented a thorough assessment towards the performance of electrochemically activated persulfate for the removal of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in aqueous systems. The mechanism and superiority of electrochemically activated persulfates were revealed accordingly. Some major factors (e.g., electrode material, pH, current density, and persulfate concentration) influencing the electrochemical activation of persulfates to remove POPs were also discussed. Considering the increasing quantity of publications on this subject, it is significant to broader guidelines such as the efficiency for practical application, quantization of organic by-products, and cost-effectiveness of the electrochemical method to optimize active persulfate in the water treatment processes. [Display omitted] •Highlight:•Possible mechanisms of electro-activated persulfate reactions were revealed.•Superiority of electrochemically electro-activated persulfates was discussed.•Major factors influencing electro-activated persulfate reactions were proposed.•Applications of electro-activated persulfate to water treatment were discussed.