Using iron-loaded sepiolite obtained by adsorption as a catalyst in the electro-Fenton oxidation of Reactive Black 5

Heterogeneous Electro-Fenton-Catalyzed Degradation of Rhodamine B by Nano-Calcined Pyrite

The use of natural pyrite as a catalyst for the treatment of recalcitrant organic wastewater by an electro-Fenton system (pyrite-EF) has recently received extensive attention. To improve the catalytic activity of natural pyrite (Py), magnetic pyrite (MPy), and pyrrhotite (Pyr), they were obtained by heat treatment, and the nanoparticles were obtained by ball milling. They were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray electron spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The degradation performance of rhodamine B (Rhb) by heterogeneous catalysts was tested under the pyrite-EF system. The effects of optimal pH, catalyst concentration, and current density on mineralization rate and mineralization current efficiency were explored. The results showed that the heat treatment caused the phase transformation of pyrite and increased the relative content of ferrous ions. The catalytic performance was MPy > Py > Pyr, and the Rhb degradation process conformed to pseudo-first-order kinetics. Under the optimum conditions of 1 g L^-1 MPy, an initial pH of five, and a current density of 30 mA cm^-2, the degradation rate and TOC removal rate of Rhb wastewater reached 98.25% and 77.06%, respectively. After five cycles of recycling, the chemical activity of MPy was still higher than that of pretreated Py. The main contribution to Rhb degradation in the system was •OH radical, followed by SO4•-, and the possible catalytic mechanism of MPy catalyst in the pyrite-EF system was proposed.

State-of-the-art review and bibliometric analysis on electro-Fenton process

The electro-Fenton (EF) process was first proposed in 1996 and, since then, considerable development has been achieved for its application in wastewater treatment, especially at lab and pilot scale. After more than 25 years, the high efficiency, versatility and environmental compatibility of EF process has been demonstrated. In this review, bibliometrics has been adopted as a tool that allows quantifying the development of EF as well as introducing some useful correlations. As a result, information is summarized in a more visual manner that can be easily analyzed and interpreted as compared to conventional reviewing. During the recent decades under review, 83 countries have contributed to the dramatic growth of EF publications, with China, Spain and France leading the publication output. The top 12 most cited articles, along with the top 32 most productive authors in the EF field, have been screened. Four stages have been identified as main descriptors of the development of EF throughout these years, being each stage characterized by relevant breakthroughs. To conclude, a general cognitive model for the EF process is proposed, including atomic, microscopic and macroscopic views, and future perspectives are discussed.

Development of a continuous fixed-bed column to eliminate cadmium(II) ions by starch-g-poly(acrylic acid)/cellulose nanofiber bio-nanocomposite hydrogel

This paper presents an experimental study on continuous adsorptive removal of Cd²⁺ from the water body using a bio-nanocomposite hydrogel within a fixed-bed column (FBC) system. The bio-nanocomposite hydrogel was synthesized based on starch grafted poly(acrylic acid) (St-g-PAA) reinforced by cellulose nanofibers (CNFs). The effects of processing conditions including pH, flow rate, and initial concentration of Cd²⁺ on adsorption efficiency were examined. Based on the results, the highest removal efficiency was achieved to be 82.5% at pH of 5, initial concentration of 10 mg L^-1, and flow rate of 5 mL min^-1. Furthermore, by applying isotherm models, it was uncovered that the Langmuir isotherm model was the most appropriate one, and the maximum adsorption capacity was 40.65 mg g^-1. Also, an adsorption process was carried out using the FBC system, and the outcome data were processed using Thomas and Yoon-Nelson models to find the characteristics of the column. In this study, the recovering capacity of the exhausted hydrogel was evaluated. Desorption process efficiencies of batch and continuous operations were obtained to be 91.9% and 90%, respectively.

Iron-Loaded Catalytic Silicate Adsorbents: Synthesis, Characterization, Electroregeneration and Application for Continuous Removal of 1-Butylpyridinium Chloride

This research proposes the application of iron-loaded sepiolite (S-Fe) as a catalytic adsorbent for the unreported 1-butylpyridinium chloride ([bpy] Cl) treatment in an aqueous medium. Initially, sepiolite was selected as an inexpensive and efficacious adsorbent for [bpy] Cl elimination. After that, sepiolite was loaded with iron for the subsequent electro-Fenton (EF) regeneration treatment. Once kinetic and isotherm studies were performed, providing respectively almost instantaneous adsorption (20 min) and an uptake of 22.85 mg/g, [bpy] Cl adsorption onto S-Fe was studied in continuous mode. The obtained breakthrough curve was analyzed using three standard breakthrough models, being Yoon–Nelson and Thomas the most suitable adjustments. Afterwards, S-Fe regeneration by the EF process was conducted using this iron-loaded silicate material as a heterogeneous catalyst. Under optimized operational conditions (current intensity 300 mA and Na2SO4 0.3 M), complete adsorbent regeneration was achieved in 10 h. The total mineralization of [bpy] Cl was reached within 24 h and among seven carboxylic acids detected, oxalic and acetic acids seem to be the primary carboxylic acids produced by [bpy] Cl degradation. Finally, S-Fe was efficiently used in four consecutive adsorption–regeneration cycles without a noticeable reduction in its adsorption capacity, opening a path for future uses.

Electrochemical advanced oxidation processes using novel electrode materials for mineralization and biodegradability enhancement of nanofiltration concentrate of landfill leachates

The objective of this study was to implement electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs) for mineralization and biodegradability enhancement of nanofiltration (NF) concentrate from landfill leachate initially pre-treated in a membrane bioreactor (MBR). Raw carbon felt (CF) or Fe^IIFe^III layered double hydroxides-modified CF were used for comparing the efficiency of homogeneous and heterogeneous electro-Fenton (EF), respectively. The highest mineralization rate was obtained by heterogeneous EF: 96% removal of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was achieved after 8 h of electrolysis at circumneutral initial pH (pH₀ = 7.9) and at 8.3 mA cm^-2. However, the most efficient treatment strategy appeared to be heterogeneous EF at 4.2 mA cm^-2 combined with anodic oxidation using Ti₄O₇ anode (energy consumption = 0.11 kWh g^-1 of DOC removed). Respirometric analyses under similar conditions than in the real MBR emphasized the possibility to recirculate the NF retentate towards the MBR after partial mineralization by EAOPs in order to remove the residual biodegradable by-products and improve the global cost effectiveness of the process. Further analyses were also performed in order to better understand the fate of organic and inorganic species during the treatment, including acute toxicity tests (Microtox^®), characterization of dissolved organic matter by three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy, evolution of inorganic ions (ClO₃^-, NH₄⁺ and NO₃^-) and identification/quantification of degradation by-products such as carboxylic acids. The obtained results emphasized the interdependence between the MBR process and EAOPs in a combined treatment strategy. Improving the retention in the MBR of colloidal proteins would improve the effectiveness of EAOPs because such compounds were identified as the most refractory. Enhanced nitrification would be also required in the MBR because of the release of NH₄⁺ from mineralization of refractory organic nitrogen during EAOPs.

Current advances and trends in electro-Fenton process using heterogeneous catalysts - A review

Over the last decades, advanced oxidation processes have often been used alone, or combined with other techniques, for remediation of ground and surface water pollutants. The application of heterogeneous catalysis to electrochemical advanced oxidation processes is especially useful due to its efficiency and environmental safety. Among those processes, electro-Fenton stands out as the one in which heterogeneous catalysis has been broadly applied. Thus, this review has introduced an up-to-date collation of the current knowledge of the heterogeneous electro-Fenton process, highlighting recent advances in the use of different catalysts such as iron minerals (pyrite, magnetite or goethite), prepared catalysts by the load of metals in inorganic and organic materials, nanoparticles, and the inclusion of catalysts on the cathode. The effects of physical-chemical parameters as well as the mechanisms involved are critically assessed. Finally, although the utilization of this process to remediation of wastewater overwhelmingly outnumber other utilities, several applications have been described in the context of regeneration of adsorbent or the remediation of soils as clear examples of the feasibility of the electro-Fenton process to solve different environmental problems.

Heterogeneous electro-Fenton as plausible technology for the degradation of imidazolinium-based ionic liquids

Conventional water treatments are generally inadequate for degradation of emerging pollutants such as ionic liquids (ILs). The use of heterogeneous electro-Fenton (HEF) has attracted great interest, due to its ability to efficiently oxidize a wide range of organic pollutants operating in cycles or in continuous mode. In this study, the removal of a complex IL from the imidazolinium family (1,3-Bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazolinium chloride), by means of HEF using iron alginate spheres as catalyst has been investigated, resulting in significant TOC decay after 6 h. The optimization of the key process parameters (current, IL concentration and catalyst dosage) has been performed using a Box-Behnken experimental design and achieving 76.98% of TOC abatement in 2 h of treatment. Current proved to be a crucial parameter and high catalyst dosage is required to achieve the maximum removal. In addition, an insight about the availability of iron into the reactor and the evolution of several intermediates has been carried out by employing differential pulse voltammetry on screen-printed carbon electrodes. The evolution of the different voltammetric peaks confirmed the influence of iron release, and the generation of several iron complexes has permitted the comprehension of the degradation pathway, which has been validated by chromatographic techniques.

An overview on the removal of synthetic dyes from water by electrochemical advanced oxidation processes

Wastewater containing dyes are one of the major threats to our environment. Conventional methods are insufficient for the removal of these persistent organic pollutants. Recently much attention has been received for the oxidative removal of various organic pollutants by electrochemically generated hydroxyl radical. This review article aims to provide the recent trends in the field of various Electrochemical Advanced Oxidation Processes (EAOPs) used for removing dyes from water medium. The characteristics, fundamentals and recent advances in each processes namely anodic oxidation, electro-Fenton, peroxicoagulation, fered Fenton, anodic Fenton, photoelectro-Fenton, sonoelectro-Fenton, bioelectro-Fenton etc. have been examined in detail. These processes have great potential to destroy persistent organic pollutants in aqueous medium and most of the studies reported complete removal of dyes from water. The great capacity of these processes indicates that EAOPs constitute a promising technology for the treatment of the dye contaminated effluents.

Elimination of radiocontrast agent diatrizoic acid by photo-Fenton process and enhanced treatment by coupling with electro-Fenton process

The removal of radiocontrast agent diatrizoic acid (DIA) from water was performed using photo-Fenton (PF) process. First, the effect of H2O2 dosage on mineralization efficiency was determined using ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. The system reached a maximum mineralization degree of 60 % total organic carbon (TOC) removal at 4 h with 20 mM initial H2O2 concentration while further concentration values led to a decrease in TOC abatement efficiency. Then, the effect of different concentrations of Fenton's reagents was studied for homogeneous Fenton process. Obtained results revealed that 0.25 mM Fe(3+) and 20 mM H2O2 were the best conditions, achieving 80 % TOC removal efficiency at 4 h treatment. Furthermore, heterogeneous PF treatment was developed using iron-activated carbon as catalyst. It was demonstrated that this catalyst is a promising option, reaching 67 % of TOC removal within 4 h treatment without formation of iron leachate in the medium. In addition, two strategies of enhancement for process efficiency are proposed: coupling of PF with electro-Fenton (EF) process in two ways: photoelectro-Fenton (PEF) or PF followed by EF (PF-EF) treatments, achieving in both cases the complete mineralization of DIA solution within only 2 h. Finally, the Microtox tests revealed the formation of more toxic compounds than the initial DIA during PF process, while, it was possible to reach total mineralization by both proposed alternatives (PEF or PF-EF) and thus to remove the toxicity of DIA solution.

Enhanced selective metal adsorption on optimised agroforestry waste mixtures

The aim of this work is to ascertain the potentials of different agroforestry wastes to be used as biosorbents in the removal of a mixture of heavy metals. Fern (FE), rice husk (RI) and oak leaves (OA) presented the best removal percentages for Cu(II) and Ni(II), Mn(II) and Zn(II) and Cr(VI), respectively. The performance of a mixture of these three biosorbents was evaluated, and an improvement of 10% in the overall removal was obtained (19.25mg/g). The optimum mixture proportions were determined using simplex-centroid mixture design method (FE:OA:RI=50:13.7:36.3). The adsorption kinetics and isotherms of the optimised mixture were fit by the pseudo-first order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm. The adsorption mechanism was studied, and the effects of the carboxylic, hydroxyl and phenolic groups on metal-biomass binding were demonstrated. Finally, the recoveries of the metals using biomass were investigated, and cationic metal recoveries of 100% were achieved when acidic solutions were used.

Environmental application of an industrial waste as catalyst for the electro-Fenton-like treatment of organic pollutants

The application of acid mine drainage sludge (AMDS), an industrial waste with high metal content, as catalyst for the electro-Fenton-like technology on the treatment of organic polluted effluents has been investigated.

Heterogeneous Fenton catalysts for the abatement of organic pollutants from aqueous solution: a review

Fenton processes have gained much attention in the field of wastewater treatment during recent years.

Box-Behnken methodology for Cr (VI) and leather dyes removal by an eco-friendly biosorbent: F. vesiculosus

This study focused on leather industrial effluents treatment by biosorption using Fucus vesiculosus as low-cost adsorbent. These effluents are yellowish-brown color and high concentration of Cr (VI). Therefore, biosorption process was optimized using response surface methodology based on Box-Behnken design operating with a simulated leather effluent obtained by mixture of Cr (VI) solution and four leather dyes. The key variables selected were initial solution pH, biomass dosage and CaCl2 concentration in the pretreatment stage. The statistical analysis shows that pH has a negligible effect, being the biomass dosage and CaCl2 concentration the most significant variables. At optimal conditions, 98% of Cr (VI) and 88% of dyes removal can be achieved. Freundlich fitted better to the obtained equilibrium data for all studied systems than Temkin, Langmuir or D-R models. In addition, the use of the final biosorbent as support-substrate to grown of enzyme producer fungi, Pleurotus ostreatus, was also demonstrated.

Adsorption and photocatalytic decomposition of roxarsone by TiO₂ and its mechanism

Roxarsone (3-nitro-4-hydroxyphenylarsonic acid) has been widely used as organic arsenic additive in animal industry. In this study, the adsorption of roxarsone on TiO₂ under dark conditions, the photocatalytic decomposition of roxarsone under UV/TiO₂, and the possible photocatalytic pathway were investigated. At the initial concentration of 5-35 mg/L, the adsorption of roxarsone fitted well with the pseudo-second-order kinetics. The isotherms analysis showed that the Langmuir model was better than the Freundlich and Dubinin–Radushkevich models for describing the adsorption process. After 7 h of photocatalytic decomposition, a complete disappearance of roxarsone was achieved. The pH value has a significant effect on both adsorption and photocatalytic decomposition of roxarsone. The results of high-performance liquid chromatography-hydride generation-atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HPLC-HG-AFS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analyses proved the cleavage of the As-C bond during the photocatalytic decomposition process by TiO2 and the intermediates of the decomposition. Based on the results, a possible photocatalytic decomposition pathway was proposed.

Application of electro-Fenton technology to remediation of polluted effluents by self-sustaining process

The applicability of electro-Fenton technology to remediation of wastewater contaminated by several organic pollutants such as dyes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons has been evaluated using iron-enriched zeolite as heterogeneous catalyst. The electro-Fenton technology is an advanced oxidation process that is efficient for the degradation of organic pollutants, but it suffers from the high operating costs due to the need for power investment. For this reason, in this study microbial fuel cells (MFCs) were designed in order to supply electricity to electro-Fenton processes and to achieve high treatment efficiency at low cost. Initially, the effect of key parameters on the MFC power generation was evaluated. Afterwards, the degradation of Reactive Black 5 dye and phenanthrene was evaluated in an electro-Fenton reactor, containing iron-enriched zeolite as catalyst, using the electricity supplied by the MFC. Near complete dye decolourization and 78% of phenanthrene degradation were reached after 90 min and 30 h, respectively. Furthermore, preliminary reusability tests of the developed catalyst showed high degradation levels for successive cycles. The results permit concluding that the integrated system is adequate to achieve high treatment efficiency with low electrical consumption.

Bacterial-fungal interactions enhance power generation in microbial fuel cells and drive dye decolourisation by an ex situ and in situ electro-Fenton process

In this work, the potential for sustainable energy production from wastes has been exploited using a combination fungus-bacterium in microbial fuel cell (MFC) and electro-Fenton technology. The fungus Trametes versicolor was grown with Shewanella oneidensis so that the bacterium would use the networks of the fungus to transport the electrons to the anode. This system generated stable electricity that was enhanced when the electro-Fenton reactions occurred in the cathode chamber. This configuration reached a stable voltage of approximately 1000 mV. Thus, the dual benefits of the in situ-designed MFC electro-Fenton, the simultaneous dye decolourisation and the electricity generation, were demonstrated. Moreover, the generated power was effectively used to drive an ex situ electro-Fenton process in batch and continuous mode. This newly developed MFC fungus-bacterium with an in situ electro-Fenton system can ensure a high power output and a continuous degradation of organic pollutants.