Ruthenium-driven catalysis for sustainable water decontamination: a review

The worldwide demand for clean water is rising worldwide, yet wastewater decontamination is actually limited by the presence of refractory organic and inorganic compounds, calling for more efficient treatment methods. Here we review the use of ruthenium-based catalysts for the removal or transformation of pollutants at a concentration range of 1.0-100 mg/L under acid or neutral conditions. We focus on catalytic oxidation and reduction, and on the environmental impact of ruthenium catalysts. We discuss electrooxidation, photocatalytic oxidation, activation of inert oxidants, hydrogen-assisted reduction, electroreduction, and N-O bond activation.

Automated summary

The demand for clean water is increasing worldwide, but wastewater decontamination is limited by refractory organic and inorganic compounds, requiring more efficient treatment methods. This review discusses the use of ruthenium-based catalysts for polluant removal or transformation at a concentration range of 1.0-100 mg/L under acid or neutral conditions. Various catalytic oxidation and reduction methods, as well as the environmental impact of ruthenium catalysts, are examined, including electrooxidation, photocatalytic oxidation, activation of inert oxidants, hydrogen-assisted reduction, electroreduction, and N-O bond activation.