Intensifying electrified flow-through water treatment technologies via local environment modification

Abstract

Removing high-risk and persistent contaminants from water is challenging, because they typically exist at low concentrations in complex water matrices. Electrified flow-through technologies are viable to overcome the limitations induced by mass transport for efficient contaminant removal. Modifying the local environment of the flow-through electrodes offers opportunities to further improve the reaction kinetics and selectivity for achieving near-complete removal of these contaminants from water. Here, we present state-of-the-art local environment modification approaches that can be incorporated into electrified flow-through technologies to intensify water treatment. We first show methods of nanospace incorporation, local geometry adjustment, and microporous structure optimization that can induce spatial confinement, enhanced local electric field, and microperiodic vortex, respectively, for local environment modification. We then discuss why local environment modification can complement the flow-through electrodes for improving the reaction rate and selectivity. Finally, we outline appropriate scenarios of intensifying electrified flow-through technologies through local environment modification for fit-for-purpose water treatment applications.

In Situ Oxidative, Catalytic Oxidative, and Nonoxidative Electrocleaning of Fouled Conductive Membranes

“…However, it should be noted that the localized concentration would be much higher than observed, enabling efficient electrocleaning. 56,57 A similar trend of cleaning was observed in the crossflow mode, with cleaning being effective for the initial period due to ROS and RCS generation (Figure S8). However, due to the presence of foulant, fouling continued and reduced the flux from then on.…”