Electrochemical Approach to Pollutants Removal and Destruction

Abstract

One of the most pressing tasks for mankind is the protection of environment and creation of conditions for its modification in an ecologically optimal way, for the further development of our life on this planet. A great variety of branches of science participate actively in the solution of environmental problems, including medicine, biology, physics and chemistry including electrochemistry; the latter is important in several ways. In addition to the analytical aspects, electrochemistry is used in the removal of toxic substances or other products and wastes, polluting the environment as a result of industrial activity, from the point of view of agriculture or of communal hygiene. Electrochemistry can also help in decreasing or eliminating the occurrence of some substances, e.g. by wasteless techniques, especially in the chemical industry and related fields. Moreover, electrochemistry can, and most probably will, affect energy production and all kinds of transport, which are among the major polluters of environment. This paper mentions some of the many electrochemical approaches, that have found practical use in the industry, to the achievement of a cleaner environment. In particular, removal and recovery of dissolved metals by cathodic deposition, regeneration of redox reagents, water purification, degradation and destruction of organics, are outlined.