Electrochemical degradation of some toxic molecules- a concise review of recent studies

Abstract

Electrochemical degradation is a sophisticated and environmentally sustainable method for treating hazardous substances in water and wastewater. This technique uses electrical energy to facilitate the oxidation and reduction of contaminants, converting them into less damaging or inert by-products. The approach is adaptable and proficient at degrading diverse contaminants, encompassing organic chemicals, heavy metals, and enduring pollutants such as pesticides and medicines. Principal advantages encompass elevated efficiency, enhanced controllability, and elimination of supplementary chemicals. Analytical methods, including High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), are utilized to assess degradation rates, examine the degradation process, identify by-products, and confirm removal efficacy. Application of metal oxide nanoparticles, metal oxide-based carbon nanostructures, granular activated carbon (GAC) as cost-effective material, and MXene demonstrated significant removal efficiency when optimum analytical parameters such as pH, charge density, suitable electrolyte, and degradation time were employed. Self-cleaning electrodes, ultrasonic cleaning devices, or flow-through systems may mitigate the fouling problem in the analysis. Utilization of advanced materials such as boron-doped diamond (BDD) or titanium suboxide (TiSO) exhibits higher corrosion and degradation resistance. Employ protective coatings on electrodes to prevent direct exposure to aggressive pollutants, thereby prolonging the lifespan of the electrodes. Current research aims to enhance electrode materials, improve process efficiency to reduce initial costs and combine sustainable energy sources with electrochemical systems to minimise power consumption, positioning electrochemical degradation as a viable approach for sustainable environmental remediation.