Advanced oxidation processes for phthalate esters removal in aqueous solution: a systematic review.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Chemistry
• Water Treatment Technologies
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Phthalate esters (PE) are common contaminants in aqueous matrices, posing environmental and health risks.
• Effective removal of PE is crucial for water quality management and public health.
• Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have emerged as promising technologies for degrading persistent organic pollutants like PE.

Approach:

• A systematic literature review was conducted to evaluate six common AOPs for PE removal.
• Processes reviewed include photolysis, Fenton, ozonation, sulfate radical-based processes, combined AOPs, and others.
• Degradation efficiencies, applied concentrations of reactants (H2O2, O3), and kinetic models were analyzed.

Key Points:

• AOPs demonstrated PE degradation efficiencies ranging from 40.3% to 100%.
• Oxidant species generated include hydroxyl radicals (•OH), sulfate radicals (SO4•−), and others, with SO4•− exhibiting higher oxidation potential than •OH.
• PE degradation follows a pseudo-first-order kinetic model, with aromatic ring cleavage producing various intermediates.

Conclusions:

• AOPs are effective for the removal of PE from aqueous matrices.
• Sulfate radical-based AOPs show superior performance due to higher oxidation power.
• Future research should prioritize evaluating the toxicity of effluent from AOP-treated water for PE decomposition.