Electro-Fenton Process: Background, New Developments, and Applications

The Electro-Fenton process is an electrochemical advanced oxidation process based on in situ generation of hydroxyl radicals (•OH) in an electrocatalytical way. Reagents needed to generate •OH are formed (H2O2) or regenerated (Fe2 + as catalyst) by electrochemistry, unlike the chemical Fenton process that proceeds with added reagents. The process has shown high performance through efficient destruction of several types of persistent micropollutants. After stating an overall description of the principles of the process, this chapter will present the main advantages and drawbacks of the electro-Fenton process as well as a brief overview of its applications to the treatment of different types of wastewater (pesticides, synthetic dyes, phenols, HAP, leachates, pharmaceutical, etc.) including optimization of operating parameters, degradation kinetics, oxidation mechanism, mineralization efficiency and so on. Recent progress and development in electrode materials, catalysts, and coupling possibilities with other physical/chemical processes will also be explored.