Opportunities for coupled electrochemical and ion-exchange technologies to remove recalcitrant micropollutants in water

Abstract

Micropollutants are found in many waters at concentrations that are concerning for living and environmental systems. They are usually characterised as being persistent and are generally difficult to remove from the water using traditional techniques. In this work, we investigate a treatment technology that couples electrooxidation of micropollutants with subsequent absorption of charged products and remaining compounds through a mixed strong acid and strong base ion exchange resin. The results clearly show that carbon fibre is a promising 2 electrode material. Electrooxidation of the drug Ibuprofen using carbon fibre in a coulombic efficiency of 13 mC/ppm removed 71% of the compound after two hours (down to 29 ppm).The addition of sodium chloride led to a near doubling of the pseudo-first order reaction rate from 1.7 to 3.0 -4 s -1 . A mix of Ibuprofen and the pesticide Diuron showed similarly promising results and while the overall oxidation decreased the positive effect of sodium chloride was present. Strikingly, coupling electrooxidation with a mixed bed ion exchange resin removed both compounds, decreasing levels of Diuron to below the limit of detection ( 18ppb) and Ibuprofen down to 0.8 ppm. The approach shows potential as a treatment technology for the removal of complex pollutants in water.

Membranes in Water Reclamation: Treatment, Reuse and Concentrate Management

“…Electrostatic interactions between charged trace organics and polymer resins with opposite charges have been found to exhibit stronger adsorption compared to activated carbon. Polymer resins have demonstrated the effective removal of charged heavy metals from water [ 63 , 64 ] and emerging organic contaminants [ 37 , 65 , 66 ] through electrostatic interactions; however, limited data are available regarding the removal of pharmaceuticals by ion-exchange polymer resins through such electrostatic interactions.…”

Facile Synthesis of a Novel AgIO3/CTF Heterojunction and Its Adsorption–Photocatalytic Performance with Organic Pollutants

“…Photocatalysis technology, as an advanced oxidation technique, has evolved into an independent and challenging field through the development of heterogeneous semiconductor photocatalysts capable of degrading organic pollutants under solar irradiation [ 2 ]. Semiconductor materials, extensively explored in the realm of photocatalysis, exhibit notable advantages, including efficient photoelectric conversion and commendable stability [ 3 ]. Beyond meeting the demands for the removal of organic pollutants, the quest for efficient and energy-conserving pollution degradation methods, coupled with the construction of adsorption–photocatalysis composite material systems, holds promising applications.…”

Facile Synthesis of a Novel AgIO₃/Ctf Heterojunction and Its Adsorption-Photocatalysis Peformance of Organic Pollutants

“…Photocatalysis technology, as an advanced oxidation technique, has evolved into an independent and challenging field through the development of heterogeneous semiconductor photocatalysts capable of degrading organic pollutants under solar irradiation [2]. Semiconductor materials, extensively explored in the realm of photocatalysis, exhibit notable advantages, including efficient photoelectric conversion and commendable stability [3]. Beyond meeting the demands for organic pollutant removal, the quest for efficient and energy-conserving pollution degradation methods, coupled with the construction of adsorption-photocatalysis composite material systems, holds promising applications.…”