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Temperature-Dependent ROS Generation by Humic Substance-Iron in Bulk Solutions and Microdroplets.

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  • 1Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Lyngby, Denmark.

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|April 20, 2026
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This study reveals a new way to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and degrade pollutants using heat, humic substances, and iron. This thermal pathway works in bulk solutions and microdroplets, offering new environmental remediation strategies.

Keywords:
ROS generationair−water interfacemicrodroplet reactionmicropollutant removalthermal environment

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Oxidation Processes
  • Advanced Oxidation Processes

Background:

  • Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation often requires light or reduced iron/humic substances.
  • Existing methods for ROS generation and pollutant degradation have limitations.
  • Abiotic, non-photochemical pathways for ROS generation are less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and characterize a novel abiotic, non-photochemical pathway for ROS generation.
  • To investigate the role of thermally induced activation of humic substances (HSs) and Fe3+.
  • To explore pollutant degradation via this thermally driven pathway in bulk solutions and microdroplets.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized elevated temperatures (20-70 °C) to activate HSs and Fe3+.
  • Employed Fe2+ quantification, ROS scavenging assays, and functional group analysis.
  • Developed a microfluidic device for in situ visualization and studied reactions in microdroplets.

Main Results:

  • Demonstrated significant HO• generation increase (5.7-18.1-fold) with temperature and HSs/Fe3+ concentration.
  • Identified semiquinone radicals as key intermediates in the thermal activation process.
  • Observed up to 100-fold higher ROS production in microdroplets compared to bulk solutions, accelerating micropollutant degradation.

Conclusions:

  • A novel thermally driven oxidative pathway for ROS generation and pollutant degradation using HSs and Fe3+ was discovered.
  • This pathway is effective at environmentally relevant temperatures and enhanced in microdroplets.
  • The findings have significant implications for contaminant decomposition in high-temperature or microdroplet-rich environments.