Anodic oxidation for the degradation of organic pollutants: Anode materials, operating conditions and mechanisms. A mini review

Organic pollutants in domestic sewage, agricultural runoff, industrial wastewater, and contaminated land pose a serious threat to human beings as well as to ecosystems. Anodic oxidation is one of the technologies most commonly used for the degradation of organic pollutants. In this review, we present the current status of promising anodic oxidation technologies for the degradation of organic pollutants, with fundamental insights into anode materials, operating conditions and mechanisms. Firstly, anodes based on metallic Pt, metal oxides (RuO2, IrO2, PbO2 and SnO2), and carbon (BDD and others) are critically reviewed. Secondly, strategies for the effective removal of organic pollutants in wastewater under appropriate operating conditions are systematically investigated. Thirdly, the anodic oxidation mechanism is comprehensively summarized with illustrations of how the organic pollutants can be broken down into small molecules of low or zero toxicity. Finally, we conclude with some future perspectives for application of anodic oxidation.