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

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Electrochemical activation; Environmental remediation; Influencing factors; Mechanisms; Persulfates; Practical application.