Electrochemical Wastewater Refining: A Vision for Circular Chemical Manufacturing

Area of Science:

• Environmental Chemistry
• Electrochemistry
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Wastewater is a rich, underutilized resource containing pollutants convertible to high-value products.
• Innovations in chemistry and chemical engineering are key to wastewater valorization for environmental remediation and resource recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose electrochemical wastewater refining as a framework for advancing wastewater-based electrochemistry.
• To define a use-informed approach for recovering specific products from wastewater while gaining mechanistic understanding.

Main Methods:

• Evaluation of research needs in electrocatalysis, stoichiometric electrochemical conversions, and electrochemical separations.
• Development of a use-informed approach for wastewater-pollutant-product triads.
• Guidance for expanding the product portfolio in electrochemical wastewater refining.

Main Results:

• Identified critical research needs across various electrochemical conversion and separation techniques.
• Demonstrated the utility of a use-informed approach for targeted wastewater refining.
• Provided a strategic direction for broadening the scope of recoverable products from wastewater.

Conclusions:

• Electrochemical wastewater refining offers a pathway to remediate pollution and secure critical materials.
• A coordinated, multidisciplinary effort is essential for maximizing value extraction from diverse wastewater streams.
• Widespread adoption of electrochemical wastewater refining requires a robust, generalizable mechanistic understanding.