Advanced Oxidation Processes for Wastewater Purification

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Catalysts catalysts	3.9	6.3	2011	14.3 Days	CHF 2700	Submit
Molecules molecules	4.6	6.7	1996	14.6 Days	CHF 2700	Submit
Processes processes	3.5	4.7	2013	13.7 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
Sustainability sustainability	3.9	5.8	2009	18.8 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
Water water	3.4	5.5	2009	16.5 Days	CHF 2600	Submit

17 pages, 5033 KiB

Open AccessReview

Performance of Traditional and Emerging Water-Treatment Technologies in the Removal of Tetracycline Antibiotics

by Fanjin Wang, Ziyi Wang, Yue Zhao and Jian Zhang

Catalysts 2024, 14(4), 269; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal14040269 - 17 Apr 2024

Viewed by 448

Tetracycline antibiotics are widely used in human medical treatment, control of animal disease, and agricultural feed because of their broad spectrum of action, high efficiency, and low cost. The excessive use of antibiotics and arbitrary discharge of antibiotic wastewater have become increasingly serious [...] Read more.

Tetracycline antibiotics are widely used in human medical treatment, control of animal disease, and agricultural feed because of their broad spectrum of action, high efficiency, and low cost. The excessive use of antibiotics and arbitrary discharge of antibiotic wastewater have become increasingly serious problems, and the current sewage-treatment process is not ideal for treating water contaminated with tetracycline antibiotics, leading to increasingly prominent antibiotic pollution in water and the imminent need for its removal. In order to understand the necessity of removing tetracycline antibiotics from the water environment, this paper first expounds on their source, harms, and pollution status in oceans and in surface water, groundwater, wastewater, and drinking water. It next introduces the research status of conventional treatment methods such as adsorption methods, biological methods, and physical and chemical methods, then introduces new treatment methods such as advanced oxidation methods and comprehensive treatment technology in sewage plants. The degradation effects, mechanisms of action, and challenges of these methods were summarized. The advantages and disadvantages of each treatment technology are compared. Finally, potential future processing technologies are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advanced Oxidation Processes for Wastewater Purification)

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42 pages, 7354 KiB

Open AccessReview

An Overview of Environmental Catalysis Mediated by Hydrogen Peroxide

by Monica Rigoletto, Enzo Laurenti and Maria Laura Tummino

Catalysts 2024, 14(4), 267; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal14040267 - 17 Apr 2024

Viewed by 686

Abstract

The use of hydrogen peroxide (produced in situ or ex situ) as the main agent in oxidative processes of environmental pollutant removal is widely studied. The degradation of water pollutants, such as dyes, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, petroleum derivatives, and even pathogens, has been successfully [...] Read more.

The use of hydrogen peroxide (produced in situ or ex situ) as the main agent in oxidative processes of environmental pollutant removal is widely studied. The degradation of water pollutants, such as dyes, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, petroleum derivatives, and even pathogens, has been successfully obtained by different techniques. This review gives an overview of the more recent methods developed to apply oxidative processes mediated by H₂O₂ and other reactive oxygen species (ROS) in environmental catalysis, with particular attention to the strategies (Fenton-like and Bio-Fenton, photo- and electro-catalysis) and the materials employed. A wide discussion about the characteristics of the materials specifically studied for hydrogen peroxide activation, as well as about their chemical composition and morphology, was carried out. Moreover, recent interesting methods for the generation and use of hydrogen peroxide by enzymes were also presented and their efficiency and applicability compared with the Fenton and electro-Fenton methods discussed above. The use of Bio-Fenton and bi-enzymatic methods for the in situ generation of ROS seems to be attractive and scalable, although not yet applied in full-scale plants. A critical discussion about the feasibility, criticalities, and perspectives of all the methods considered completes this review. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advanced Oxidation Processes for Wastewater Purification)

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23 pages, 7253 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Insight into the Catalytic Performance of a Zinc-Pillared Curcumin/Bentonite Composite for Enhanced Oxidation of Ibuprofen Residuals into Environmental Products: The Pathway and Toxicity

by Sarah I. Othman, Marwa H. Shemy, Haifa E. Alfassam, Haifa A. Alqhtani, Ahmed A. Allam, Mostafa R. Abukhadra and Stefano Bellucci

Catalysts 2024, 14(2), 129; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal14020129 - 07 Feb 2024

Viewed by 1104

Abstract

Environmental organo bentonite synthesis using curcumin-derived chemicals is used as catalyst support for zinc with a Zn-pillaring structure (Zn@CU/BEN). The obtained composite was assessed as an affordable, highly effective, and multifunctional photocatalyst for enhanced oxidation of ibuprofen (IBU) residuals in water supplies. The [...] Read more.

Environmental organo bentonite synthesis using curcumin-derived chemicals is used as catalyst support for zinc with a Zn-pillaring structure (Zn@CU/BEN). The obtained composite was assessed as an affordable, highly effective, and multifunctional photocatalyst for enhanced oxidation of ibuprofen (IBU) residuals in water supplies. The Zn@CU/BEN composite (0.4 g/L) displayed significant catalytic activities, resulting in the complete oxidation of IBU (25 mg/L) after 80 min. Then, the complete mineralization based on the full elimination of TOC content was recognized after 160 min, with significant indications about the formed intermediates. The identified intermediates, together with the identification of hydroxyl radicals as the essential oxidizing agent, declared an oxidation pathway of IBU over Zn@CU/BEN that involved three steps: hydroxylation, decarboxylation/demethylation, and ring-opening processes. The toxic properties of raw pollutants as well as the oxidizing product at different durations were assessed based on the cell viability results of kidney (HEK293T) and liver (HepG2) cell lines. The partially oxidized sample in the initial duration displayed a higher toxicity impact than the raw IBU. However, the treated sample after 160 min reflected high biosafety and non-toxic properties (cell viability > 97%). The synergetic impact of bentonite and bentonite organo-modified by curcumin extract reflects enhancements in the adsorption as well as the oxidation performance of pillared zinc as a catalyst. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advanced Oxidation Processes for Wastewater Purification)

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22 pages, 6018 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Synergism of Artificial Intelligence and Techno-Economic for Sustainable Treatment of Methylene Blue Dye-Containing Wastewater by Photocatalysis

by Khumbolake Faith Ngulube, Amal Abdelhaleem, Manabu Fujii and Mahmoud Nasr

Sustainability 2024, 16(2), 529; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16020529 - 08 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1112

Abstract

Recently, removing dyes from wastewater by photocatalysis has been extensively studied by several researchers. However, there exists a research gap in optimizing the photocatalytic process parameters using artificial intelligence to maintain the associated techno-economic feasibility. Hence, this investigation attempts to optimize the photocatalytic [...] Read more.

Recently, removing dyes from wastewater by photocatalysis has been extensively studied by several researchers. However, there exists a research gap in optimizing the photocatalytic process parameters using artificial intelligence to maintain the associated techno-economic feasibility. Hence, this investigation attempts to optimize the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye using an artificial neural network (ANN) model to minimize the capital and running costs, which is beneficial for industrial applications. A ZnO/MgO photocatalyst was synthesized, showing an energy band gap of 2.96 eV, crystallinity index of 71.92%, pore volume of 0.529 cm³/g, surface area of 30.536 m²/g, and multiple surface functional groups. An ANN model, with a 4-8-1 topology, trainlm training function, and feed-forward back-propagation algorithm, succeeded in predicting the MB removal efficiency (R² = 0.946 and mean squared error = 11.2). The ANN-based optimized condition depicted that over 99% of MB could be removed under C₀ = 16.42 mg/L, pH = 9.95, and catalyst dosage = 905 mg/L within 174 min. This optimum condition corresponded to a treatment cost of USD 8.52/m³ cheaper than the price estimated from the unoptimized photocatalytic system by ≈7%. The study outputs revealed positive correlations with the sustainable development goals accompanied by pollution reduction, human health protection, and aquatic species conservation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advanced Oxidation Processes for Wastewater Purification)

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18 pages, 7358 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Novel Fenton-like Catalyst HKUST-1(Cu)/MoS₂-3-C with Non-Equilibrium-State Surface for Selective Degradation of Phenolic Contaminants: Synergistic Effects of σ-Cu-Ligand and ≡Mo–OOSO₃⁻ Complex

by Xiaoze Yin, Huaqin Yin, Renjie Wang, Jinnan Wang and Aimin Li

Water 2024, 16(1), 121; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16010121 - 28 Dec 2023

Viewed by 833

Abstract

Novel Fenton-like catalyst HKUST-1(Cu)/MoS₂-3-C with a non-equilibrium-state surface was constructed for selective degradation of phenolic contaminants. Electron-polarized distribution facilitated the formation of σ-Cu-ligand between electron-poor Cu centre and phenolic compounds, which not only enhanced radicals generation but also accelerated the Cu(I)/Cu(II) [...] Read more.

Novel Fenton-like catalyst HKUST-1(Cu)/MoS₂-3-C with a non-equilibrium-state surface was constructed for selective degradation of phenolic contaminants. Electron-polarized distribution facilitated the formation of σ-Cu-ligand between electron-poor Cu centre and phenolic compounds, which not only enhanced radicals generation but also accelerated the Cu(I)/Cu(II) redox. Meanwhile, ≡Mo–OOSO₃⁻ complexes formed by the electron-rich Mo centre and peroxymonosulfate (PMS), could directly oxidize phenolic contaminants with the generation of SO₄^•−. The radical quenching experiments and EPR tests indicated that both SO₄^•− and •OH played a dominant role in the reaction. Additionally, O₂ could be reduced to O₂^•− by OVs and subsequently converted into ¹O₂ over the Mo centre. DFT calculation, FT-IR, and in situ Raman spectra analysis results demonstrated that phenolic compounds and PMS were respectively adsorbed by electron-poor Cu centre and electron-rich Mo centre, favouring the electrons transfer from phenolic contaminants to Mo centre for PMS activation. With synergistic effects of σ-Cu-ligand and ≡Mo–OOSO₃⁻ complexes, HKUST-1(Cu)/MoS₂-3-C achieved a high degradation rate of phenolic contaminants and utilization efficiency of PMS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advanced Oxidation Processes for Wastewater Purification)

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14 pages, 4655 KiB

Open AccessArticle

In Situ Synthesis of Bi₂S₃/BiFeO₃ Nanoflower Hybrid Photocatalyst for Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Pollutants

by Rentao Zhou, Xinman Tu, Peng Zheng, Li Zhang and Zhenxing Zeng

Molecules 2023, 28(24), 8007; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28248007 - 08 Dec 2023

Viewed by 733

Abstract

Photocatalytic degradation of Malachite Green oxalate (MG) in a water body is of significant importance to our health protection, as it could cause various serious diseases. However the photocatalytic activity of most catalysts is still unsatisfactory, due to the poor reactive oxygen species [...] Read more.

Photocatalytic degradation of Malachite Green oxalate (MG) in a water body is of significant importance to our health protection, as it could cause various serious diseases. However the photocatalytic activity of most catalysts is still unsatisfactory, due to the poor reactive oxygen species production as a result of sluggish charge separation. Here, innovative nanoflower-shaped Bi₂S₃/BiFeO₃ heterojunctions are prepared via a facile sol–gel method, exhibiting an enhanced reactive oxygen species generation, which leads to the excellent photocatalytic performance toward MG degradation. We verify that interfacing BiFeO₃ with Bi₂S₃ could form a fine junction and offers a built-in field to speed up charge separation at the junction area; as a result, this shows much higher charge separation efficiency. By virtue of the aforementioned advantages, the as-prepared Bi₂S₃/BiFeO₃ heterojunctions exhibit excellent photocatalytic performance toward MG degradation, where more than 99% of MG is removed within 2 h of photocatalysis. The innovative design of nanoflower-like Bi₂S₃/BiFeO₃ heterojunctions may offer new viewpoints in designing highly efficient photocatalysts for environmentally related applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advanced Oxidation Processes for Wastewater Purification)

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15 pages, 4299 KiB

Open AccessArticle

S-Scheme WO₃/SnIn₄S₈ Heterojunction for Water Purification: Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance and Mechanism

by Pingfan Xu, Runqiu Zhang, Jiarong Gong, Yaofa Luo, Yihua Zhuang and Peikun Zhang

Catalysts 2023, 13(11), 1450; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13111450 - 20 Nov 2023

Viewed by 1082

Abstract

Photocatalysis is a promising technology for removing micropollutants in water. However, developing efficient and stable catalysts remains a challenge. In this work, a novel step-scheme (S-scheme) heterojunction of WO₃/SnIn₄S₈ (WSI) was constructed through the combined process of in [...] Read more.

Photocatalysis is a promising technology for removing micropollutants in water. However, developing efficient and stable catalysts remains a challenge. In this work, a novel step-scheme (S-scheme) heterojunction of WO₃/SnIn₄S₈ (WSI) was constructed through the combined process of in situ precipitation with hydrothermal synthesis to simultaneously realize photocatalytic degradation of bisphenol A(BPA) and reduction of Cr(VI) in contaminated water. Results showed that the WSI S-scheme heterojuction has a synergistic effect for the removal of BPA and Cr(VI). An optimum case of the WSI-12% heterojunction exhibited the highest photocatalytic efficiency in the degradation of BPA under visible light, which is ca. 2.5 and 3.8 times more than the pure WO₃ and SIS, respectively. The enhanced photocatalytic activity is attributed to the formation of the WSI S-scheme heterojunctions which facilitate the spatial separation of charge carriers and preserve strong photoredox ability. Further, the S-scheme mechanism of enhanced photocatalysis was examined by the radical-trapping experiment and ESR, and superoxide and hydroxyl radicals were determined to be the major reactive oxygen species responsible for BPA degradation and Cr(VI) reduction by WSI. This work provides a novel strategy for tailoring high-performance S-scheme heterojunctions and shows the promising application in purifying wastewater with complex pollutants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advanced Oxidation Processes for Wastewater Purification)

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23 pages, 8807 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Addition of Anthocyanin as a Sensitizer for TiO₂ Nanotubes in a Combined Process of Electrocoagulation and Photocatalysis for Methylene Blue Removal

by Indar Kustiningsih, Hendrini Pujiastuti, Denni Kartika Sari, Agus Rochmat and Slamet

Sustainability 2023, 15(21), 15384; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152115384 - 27 Oct 2023

Viewed by 821

Abstract

Photocatalysis with TiO₂ semiconductors is one of several potential methods for removing Methylene Blue (MB) that is environmentally friendly, relatively cheap, and effective. The capability of TiO₂ photocatalysts for degrading MB can be improved by modifying the morphology of TiO₂ [...] Read more.

Photocatalysis with TiO₂ semiconductors is one of several potential methods for removing Methylene Blue (MB) that is environmentally friendly, relatively cheap, and effective. The capability of TiO₂ photocatalysts for degrading MB can be improved by modifying the morphology of TiO₂ into nanotubes and adding anthocyanin sensitizers. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of anthocyanin sensitizer addition for TiO₂ nanotubes on MB removal using a combined process of electrocoagulation and photocatalysis. TiO₂ nanotubes were prepared through an anodization method with a glycerol electrolyte containing NH₄F of 0.5% w/v and water of 25% v/v. The cathode and anode used in the electrocoagulation process were 316 stainless steel and aluminum, respectively. The characteristics of the resulting TiO₂ nanotubes were analyzed using SEM-EDX, UV–Vis DRS, and XRD analyses. The results showed that the electrocoagulation at a pH of 10 and a voltage of 50 volts resulted in an MB removal efficiency of 57.88%. In the photocatalysis process, sensitizer addition can increase the MB removal efficiency from 19.71% to 29.06%. Furthermore, a combined process of electrocoagulation and photocatalysis without and with sensitizer addition resulted in MB removal efficiencies of 59.66% and 64.30%, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advanced Oxidation Processes for Wastewater Purification)

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17 pages, 3274 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study of the Process of Electrochemical Oxidation of Active Pharmaceutical Substances on the Example of Nitrofurazone ((2E)-2-[(5-Nitro-2-furyl)methylene]hydrazine Carboxamide)

by Vitalyi Vladimirovich Kuznetsov, Natalya Andreevna Ivantsova, Evgenii Nikolaevich Kuzin, Andrey Vladimirovich Pirogov, Yaroslav Olegovich Mezhuev, Elena Alexeevna Filatova and Yulia Michailovna Averina

Water 2023, 15(19), 3370; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15193370 - 26 Sep 2023

Viewed by 984

Abstract

The effective mineralization of nitrofurazone (10–100 mg L⁻¹) was performed in aqueous solutions in the presence of chloride ions by electrochemical treatment. The destruction of the organic pollutant molecules was due to their interaction with active oxygen- and chlorine-containing species forming [...] Read more.

The effective mineralization of nitrofurazone (10–100 mg L⁻¹) was performed in aqueous solutions in the presence of chloride ions by electrochemical treatment. The destruction of the organic pollutant molecules was due to their interaction with active oxygen- and chlorine-containing species forming at the inert anode (Pt/Ti or BDD) during electrolysis. Measurements of nitrofurazone concentration, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total organic carbon (TOC) were used to estimate the removal efficiency of the pollutant. Both the pollutant oxidation rate and the degree of its mineralization were higher for the BDD anode due to the higher anode potentials on it in the course of electrolysis, which provides a high rate of active oxidizer species generation. As a result, practically full nitrofurazone molecule destruction (>99%) was achieved in 30 min at an anodic current density of 0.1 A cm⁻², a volume current density of 1.33 A L⁻¹ and pH 2 using BDD anodes. On the other hand, the nitrafurazone degradation efficiency was about 95% for Pt/Ti anodes under the same conditions. Additionally, byproducts of nitrofurazone electrooxidation were investigated by means of liquid chromato-mass-spectrometry (LC/MS). It was found that the initial decolorization of nitrofurazone solution, which occurs during the first 5 min of electrolysis, is due to the formation of a dichloro derivative of nitrofurazone, which causes the destruction of the π−conjugated bond system. Further electrolysis resulted in the almost complete destruction of the dichloro derivative within 30 min of electrochemical treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advanced Oxidation Processes for Wastewater Purification)

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