Self-catalytic enhancement of Cu-EDTA decomplexation and simultaneous Cu recovery via a dual-cathode electrochemical process.

Heavy metals that are readily chelated with coexisting organic ligands in industrial wastewaters impose threats to environment and human health but are also valuable metal resources. Traditional treatment methods generally require additional chemicals and generate secondary contaminants. Here, a reagent-free dual-cathode electrochemical system was proposed for the efficient destruction of Cu-organic complexes and synchronous cathodic recovery of Cu, whereby in situ production of HO at carbon aerogel (CA) cathode was coupled with the reduction of Cu(II) to Cu(I) and finally to Cu(0) at Ti cathode.

Self-catalytic decomplexation of Cu-TEPA and simultaneous recovery of Cu by an electrochemical ozone production system using heterojunction Ni-Sb-SnO anode.

Heavy metal complexes from the industrial wastewater induce risks for the humans and ecosystems, yet are valuable metal resources. For energy saving and emission reduction goals, the simultaneous decomplexation and recovery of metal resources is the ideal disposal of wastewater with heavy metal complexes. Herein, a self-catalytic decomplexation scheme is developed via an electrochemical ozone production (EOP) system to achieve efficient decomplexation and Cu recovery.

Pyrene contaminated soil remediation using microwave/magnetite activated persulfate oxidation.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are important mutagen prevalent in the contaminated sites, bringing potential risks to human health. Iron oxides are important natural components in soils. Pyrene removal in soil using persulfate (PS) oxidation activated by microwave (MW) and magnetite (FeO) was investigated.

High frequency discharge plasma induced plasticizer elimination in water: Removal performance and residual toxicity.

Plasticizers are widely present in water and soil environment, and they can bring enormous threats to environmental safety and human health. A discharge plasma system driven by a high-frequency electric source was used to remove the plasticizer from wastewater; and dimethyl phthalate (DMP) was chosen as the representative of plasticizer. DMP elimination performance at various operating parameters, roles of active species in DMP degradation, DMP decomposition process, and its residual toxicity after decomposition were systematically investigated.