Sonoelectrochemical processes for the degradation of persistent organic pollutants

Ang, W. L., McHugh, P. J. and Symes, M. D. (2022) Sonoelectrochemical processes for the degradation of persistent organic pollutants. Chemical Engineering Journal, 444, 136573. (doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2022.136573)

Abstract

The combination of electrochemistry and ultrasonic irradiation (sonoelectrochemistry) has gained increasing attention in recent years as a method for removing dissolved pollutants from water. This interest stems from the potential for sonoelectrochemical approaches to completely mineralise dissolved pollutants, converting them into harmless mineral species such as water and carbon dioxide. In many cases, the electrochemical and ultrasonic inputs into a sonoelectrochemical pollutant degradation process are found to be synergistic, producing a faster rate of degradation than that produced by the sum of the purely electrochemical or purely sonochemical inputs on their own. This synergism has several causes, with enhanced production of powerfully oxidising radicals and improved mass transport to and from the electrode surface being the two most often cited. In this review, we first give an overview of the various factors that impact on sonoelectrochemical pollutant degradation studies (including reactor design, sonochemical and electrochemical parameters and reaction conditions), before then discussing in detail examples of sonoelectrochemical processes for the degradation of persistent organic pollutants in water from 2015 onwards.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Symes, Professor Mark and McHugh, Mr Patrick
• Authors: Ang, W. L., McHugh, P. J., and Symes, M. D.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Chemistry
• Journal Name: Chemical Engineering Journal
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 1385-8947
• ISSN (Online): 1873-3212
• Published Online: 25 April 2022
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2022 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Chemical Engineering Journal 444: 136573
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
314390		Removing organic pollutants from the water supply using a novel sonoelectrochemical treatment system	Mark Symes	Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE)	FoE2122\10\6	Chemistry
301241		Ultra-Reduced Polyoxometalates as Electron-Coupled-Proton-Systems for Energy Storage	Leroy Cronin	Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)	EP/R020914/1	Chemistry
173495		Driving energetically uphill processes using metal-ligand coordination complexes	Mark Symes	The Royal Society (ROYSOC)	UF150104	Chemistry