Enhanced removal of pharmaceuticals in a 3D electrochemical reactor with scalable-produced tri-functional cyanobacterial-bloom-waste-derived single-Fe-atom particle electrodes
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Single-atom catalysts offer promise for emerging contaminant (EC) removal but remains limited by poor scalability due to costly precursors and complex synthesis. On the other hand, how to utilize cyanobacteria sludge from eutrophic lakes is still a challenge. Here, we report a scalable and environmental-relevant strategy to convert cyanobacterial sludge (from a full-scale eutrophic water treatment plant by FeCl3-coagulation-flotation-dewatering) into particle electrodes (KCBC800) containing representative and energetically favorable single-atom para-Fe-N2O2 sites, without addition of exogenous substance during pyrolysis. Deployed in a three-dimensional electrochemical reactor, KCBC800 exhibited efficient removal of 11 representative pharmaceuticals via in-situ reactive oxygen species generation, with higher kinetic rate constants, lower operating voltages, reduced energy consumption and reduced acute toxicity of treated water, compared to commercial activated carbon and conventional particle-free electrochemical system. The performance displayed strong robustness to a wide pH range (2–8), co-existence of various inorganic ions and natural-organic-matter, and in different water matrix (river and tap water). The most plausible mechanism supported by both direct and indirect experimental evidence revealed that the KCBC800 enabled EC removal by anodic catalytic ·OH generation, and cathodic catalytic H2O2 production for subsequent Fenton-like reactions, without exogenous oxidant addition. This work integrated waste valorization, environmental catalysis, and circular economy principles to offer scalable sustainable water treatment solutions.
Date Issued
2026-09-01
Date Acceptance
2026-06-15
Citation
Chemical Engineering Journal, 2026, 543
ISSN
1385-8947
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Journal / Book Title
Chemical Engineering Journal
Volume
543
Copyright Statement
Copyright © 2026 Elsevier B.V. This is the author’s accepted manuscript made available under a CC-BY licence in accordance with Imperial’s Research Publications Open Access policy (www.imperial.ac.uk/oa-policy)
License URL
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
178471
Date Publish Online
2026-06-16