Work

Sustainable Remediation of Polyethylene Microplastics via a Magnetite-Activated Electro-Fenton System: Enhancing Persulfate Efficiency for Eco-Friendly Pollution Mitigation

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Polyethylene microplastics (PE MPs) pose a severe threat to aquatic ecosystems and human health, demanding urgent, sustainable remediation strategies. While the electro-Fenton process is widely used for treating refractory pollutants in wastewater, its standalone application remains inadequate for PE MPs due to their stable chemical structure and complex molecular chains. This study introduces a green and sustainable magnetite-activated persulfate electro-Fenton (Mt-PS-EF) system designed to address these limitations while aligning with circular-economy principles. By synergizing Fe₃O₄ catalysis, persulfate activation, and electrochemical processes, the Mt-PS-EF system achieves efficient PE MP degradation through hydroxyl (·OH) and sulfate (SO₄·⁻) radical-driven oxidation. Under optimized conditions (60 mg/L PE, 40 mM persulfate, 150 mg Fe3O₄, 20 h treatment), a 90.6% degradation rate was attained, with PE MPs undergoing chain scission, surface erosion, and release of low-molecular-weight organics. Crucially, the magnetic property of magnetite facilitated the recovery and reuse of the catalyst, significantly reducing material costs and minimizing waste generation. By integrating catalytic efficiency with resource recovery, this work advances scalable, eco-friendly solutions for microplastic pollution mitigation, directly contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6 (Clean Water) and 14 (Life Below Water). The findings highlight the potential of hybrid electro-Fenton technologies in achieving sustainable wastewater treatment and plastic waste management.

Source: Sustainability

DOI: 10.3390/su17083559

Authors: Weimin Gao, Tian Tian, Xiangju Cheng, Dantong Zhu, Lirong Yuan

Institutions: South China University of Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai)

Language: English

Topic: Advanced oxidation water treatment

Subfield: Water Science and Technology

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Clean water and sanitation, Responsible consumption and production, Climate action

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896