Innovative Electrochemical Reactor Design for Pollutants Removal through Solar Photoelectro-Fenton

• Grant number: 24/03549-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: August 01, 2024
• End date: July 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Mauro Coelho dos Santos
• Grantee: Caio Machado Fernandes
• Supervisor: Sergio Garcia Segura
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas (CCNH). Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC). Ministério da Educação (Brasil). Santo André , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Arizona State University, Tempe (ASU), United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 22/10484-4 - Application of low-cost nanomaterials for degradation of endocrine disruptors through advanced electrochemical oxidation processes under the influence of a magnetic field, BP.PD

Abstract

Pesticides are a class of chemical compounds used extensively to control crop pests. The wide use of pesticides has resulted in a significant environmental buildup. The high water solubility of pesticides increases the risk of leaching, allowing these substances to infiltrate the soil and potentially contaminate underground water reservoirs. Additionally, rainfall may transport these chemicals into rivers, posing substantial threats to both the environment and human well-being. Fipronil is a commonly utilized pesticide because of its wide range of agricultural and horticultural applications. The prolonged usage of fipronil presents a substantial challenge, mainly due to its strong attraction to soil and sediment, resulting in contamination across diverse environmental elements. When introduced into aquatic ecosystems, this fluorinated compound can cause significant detrimental impacts on both the environment and human health. Addressing pesticides as resilient organic pollutants presents a considerable hurdle, with conventional water treatment approaches proving less adaptable to effectively detoxify these contaminants. Therefore, this project proposes the development of a Solar Photoelectro-Fenton reactor that may enable decentralized treatment at the contamination source. We will assess the competitiveness of a novel carbonaceous matrix modified with metal oxide nanoparticles as cathode for in-situ H2O2 electrogeneration and a boron-doped diamond as anode in the degradation/mineralization of fipronil polluted waters.