Sonoelectrochemical processes for the degradation of persistent organic pollutants

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.