Abstract
This work examined the use of a 3D combined electrochemical process based on particle electrodes from sawdust-derived biochar pyrolized at T = 550–850 °C to remove persistent pollutants. The as-prepared biochar was characterized by scanning electron microscopy with an X-ray energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM/EDS), nitrogen adsorption (BET method) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The use of sawdust biochar pyrolized at 650 °C led to a significant increase in efficiency against the sum of conventional 2D electrochemical systems and adsorption, and the synergy index estimated equal to 74.5% at optimum conditions. Sulfamethoxazole (SMX) removal was favored by increasing particle electrode loading. Despite that, the reaction was slightly favored in near-neutral conditions; the system retained most of its activity in the pH range 3–10. The proposed 3D system could degrade different micropollutants, namely SMX, Bisphenol A (BPA), Propylparaben (PP), and Piroxicam (PR). Of particular interest was that no significant reduction in degradation was observed in the case of complex or real water matrices. In addition, the system retained its efficiency regarding SMX removal after five sequential experiments in the 3D combined electrochemical process. However, further investigation is needed to estimate the contribution of the different mechanisms of micropollutant removal in the proposed system.
Highlights
Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have gained great interest in the last decades amongst water treatment technologies [1,2]
The present study aims to investigate the efficiency of biochar as a particle electrode in a 3D electrochemical AOPs (EAOPs) system
FuturetoPerspectives sequentation of electrochemical oxidationsystem with adsorption in series. This case, the effiIn this work, a hybrid electrochemical based on biochar wasIntested to eliminate ciency will decrease rapidly as soon as the saturation of the adsorbent material occurs
Summary
Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have gained great interest in the last decades amongst water treatment technologies [1,2]. Their popularity derives from the fact that they successfully cover the inefficiency of conventional water treatment methods regarding the complete degradation of emerging contaminants (ECs) in water [3]. The term ECs refers to pharmaceuticals, personal care products (PPCPs), and other natural or chemical substances that have been detected at very low concentrations (in the range of μg/L or ng/L) in the secondary effluent of wastewater treatment plants and at surface or ground waters Their presence has been linked to a series of undesired effects on humans and aquatic life, such as antimicrobial resistance and risks to reproductive health [4]. Some AOPs, such as photocatalysis, are based on light for
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