Electrolysis-assisted UV/sulfite oxidation for water treatment with automatic adjustments of solution pH and dissolved oxygen

Sulfite as a precursor to generate sulfate radical (SO4 center dot-) for water treatment has gained attention. Here we report a metal-free and highly efficient electro/UV/sulfite process to produce SO4 center dot- for water treatment. UV/sulfite reaction induces sulfite radical (SO3 center dot-), which is transformed into SO4 center dot- by the presence of oxygen due to water electrolysis. Electro/UV/sulfite process generates a steady-state SO4 center dot- concentration of 0.2 to 1.1 x 10(-12) M in our tests. Solution pH affects sulfite species distribution, and higher pH mediates improved yield of steady-state SO4 center dot- concentration. Effect of sulfite concentration exhibits a bell-shaped pattern toward SO4 center dot- production due to self-scavenging. The oxidation capability of electro/UV/sulfite process is manifested by removing representative micropollutants (i.e., ibuprofen, salicylic acid, and bisphenol A) and Escherichia coli model pathogen, in both synthetic and natural water matrices. This novel electro/UV/sulfite process has obvious advantages, since it avoids metal ion catalysts, supplies reaction with electrolytically generated nascent oxygen, and overcomes the acidic pH requirement, that are challenging to traditional metal/sulfite processes. Considering the features of environmental friendliness and low cost, the proposed electro/UV/sulfite process should lead to successful applications in the future.

Automated summary

A metal-free and highly efficient electro/UV/sulfite process was developed to produce sulfate radical (SO4^·-) for water treatment. This process effectively removes micropollutants and Escherichia coli from synthetic and natural water matrices.