Ultra-rapid detoxification of Sb(III) using a flow-through electro-fenton system

Environmental pollution caused by antimony (Sb) has attracted worldwide attention recently. Here, we employed a flow-through electro-Fenton system for the rapid and efficient detoxification of highly toxic Sb(III). A FeOCl modified carbon nanotube (CNT) filter served as functional cathode, where FeOCl as nanocatalyst promoted the generation of HO by facilitating effective Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ cycling. Upon application of a proper potential, an ultra-rapid conversion of Sb(III) to less toxic Sb(V) can be achieved in situ just by a single-pass filtration (>99% within 2 s). Compared with the conventional batch reactor, the proposed system demonstrated ultra-rapid Sb(III) detoxification kinetics due to the convection-enhanced mass transport. The proposed flow-through E-Fenton system works effectively across a wide pH range (e.g., 3-9). EPR technique and radical quenching experiments indicate that HO and HO₂ were the dominant radical species responsible for Sb(III) detoxification. At -0.4 V vs. Ag/AgCl, a >96.4% Sb(III) conversion efficiency still can be achieved when challenged with 500 μg L^-1 Sb(III)-spiked tap water. The as-produced Sb(V) can be removed effectively by another Sb(V)-specific CNT filter functionalized with nanoscale iron oxides. The outcome of this research provides a promising strategy by integrating state-of-the-art electro-Fenton, membrane separation, carboncatalysis and nanotechnology for detoxification of Sb(III) and other similar heavy metal ions in polluted water.