Electrode Materials for Glyphosate Removal from Water by Advanced Anodic Oxidation Processes: A Critical Review

Area of Science:

• Environmental Chemistry
• Electrochemistry
• Water Treatment Technologies

Background:

• Glyphosate is a widely used herbicide frequently detected in aquatic environments.
• Its persistence and widespread use, along with its metabolite AMPA, pose environmental and health risks.
• Conventional water treatment methods are often inefficient for complete glyphosate removal.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide the first contaminant-specific and mechanistic assessment of anodic electro-oxidation for glyphosate removal.
• To synthesize recent mechanistic, kinetic, and material-dependent insights (2016-2025).
• To establish a framework linking electrode properties, radical generation, and degradation chemistry for efficient glyphosate removal.

Main Methods:

• Review and synthesis of published literature on anodic electro-oxidation of glyphosate.
• Comparative analysis of major anode families: BDD, PbO2, MMOs, and Magnéli-phase Ti4O7.
• Assessment of glyphosate-specific degradation pathways, intermediates, and operational parameters.

Main Results:

• Anodic oxidation generates reactive hydroxyl radicals for in situ glyphosate degradation.
• Different anode materials exhibit varying efficiencies in glyphosate removal and mineralization.
• Key operational parameters influencing degradation efficiency and energy demand were identified.

Conclusions:

• Anodic electro-oxidation is a promising technology for efficient and sustainable glyphosate removal.
• Understanding electrode-specific mechanisms is crucial for optimizing electrochemical processes.
• This review provides a scientific basis for designing advanced electrochemical systems for organophosphorus contaminant remediation.