Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026
05:29
Self-standing Electrochemical Set-up to Enrich Anode-respiring Bacteria On-site
Published on: July 24, 2018
Gradient-Driven Galvanic Effect Enables Self-Sustained Peroxymonosulfate Activation in a Stacked Flow Reactor.
Qingyi Zeng1,2, Jiahua Ni1,3, Qingyan Zhang1
1School of Resources & Environment and Safety Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China.
Environmental Science & Technology
|June 25, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a novel flow reactor that uses a galvanic effect for efficient emerging contaminant removal. It achieves high pollutant degradation with minimal peroxymonosulfate, offering a sustainable water treatment solution.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Peroxymonosulfate (PMS)-based advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) struggle with efficient emerging contaminant (EC) removal from complex water.
- High PMS dosages and poor oxidant utilization are significant limitations in conventional batch reactors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a cost-effective and energy-saving continuous-flow technology for EC elimination.
- To overcome mass transfer limitations and improve PMS utilization in water treatment.
Main Methods:
- A Fenton-like flow reactor (FFR) with immobilized Co-carbon nanotube/carbon fiber (Co-CNT/CF) catalysts was designed.
- The FFR utilizes in situ-generated concentration and potential gradients to induce a spontaneous galvanic effect (GE) for PMS activation.
- The reactor's performance was evaluated under varying EC concentrations, salinity, natural organic matter (NOM), and pH.
Main Results:
- The FFR demonstrated self-sustained PMS activation, radical generation, and EC removal without external energy input.
- Nearly 100% EC removal was achieved at high flux rates (>1000 mL min⁻¹) with exceptionally low PMS usage (≤0.08 mM).
- The reactor exhibited high adaptability and PMS utilization efficiency (77.5-96.3%) across diverse water conditions, with conductivity significantly boosting performance.
Conclusions:
- A gradient-driven, galvanic-enabled PMS activation pathway was established for efficient water purification.
- The FFR presents a new design paradigm for continuous-flow water treatment, offering enhanced efficiency and reduced operational costs.
- This technology shows promise for sustainable and scalable solutions to emerging contaminant challenges.
Related Concept Videos
02:47Voltaic/Galvanic Cells
Spontaneous Chemical Reactions
Spontaneous redox reactions occur abundantly in nature. The chemical reaction occurring in a disposable AA battery powering our remote controls is one such example of a spontaneous redox reaction. Another example is the immersion of coiled copper wire into an aqueous silver nitrate solution. The reaction shows a gradual, visually impressive color change from colorless to bright blue and the formation of a grey precipitate on the copper wire. In this experiment,...
Spontaneous redox reactions occur abundantly in nature. The chemical reaction occurring in a disposable AA battery powering our remote controls is one such example of a spontaneous redox reaction. Another example is the immersion of coiled copper wire into an aqueous silver nitrate solution. The reaction shows a gradual, visually impressive color change from colorless to bright blue and the formation of a grey precipitate on the copper wire. In this experiment,...
02:50Catalysis
The presence of a catalyst affects the rate of a chemical reaction. A catalyst is a substance that can increase the reaction rate without being consumed during the process. A basic comprehension of a catalysts’ role during chemical reactions can be understood from the concept of reaction mechanisms and energy diagrams.
01:27Catalysis
Catalysis influences the rate of chemical reactions by providing an alternative reaction pathway with lower activation energy. A catalyst speeds up a reaction, but it is not consumed during the process. The fundamental principle of catalysis is the ability of a catalyst to alter the reaction mechanism, often introducing a more efficient pathway than the uncatalyzed process.In a catalyzed reaction, the catalyst participates directly in the reaction mechanism. It interacts with reactants to form...
01:18Bioreactor Controls-II
In aerobic fermentations, oxygen is vital for microbial growth and metabolite production. Since air comprises only about 20% oxygen and the gas is poorly soluble in water—just 9 ppm at 20°C—supplying sufficient oxygen becomes a critical challenge, especially in high-demand processes like yeast growth or citric acid production. Even a fully saturated broth may offer only a few seconds of oxygen availability.To address this, sterile or scrubbed air is introduced into the fermentor via a sparger...
02:21Oxidation of Alkenes: Syn Dihydroxylation with Potassium Permanganate
Alkenes can be dihydroxylated using potassium permanganate. The method encompasses the reaction of an alkene with a cold, dilute solution of potassium permanganate under basic conditions to form a cis-diol along with a brown precipitate of manganese dioxide.