Development of a Combined AOP+RECO2 Route (Advanced Oxidative Processes+Carbon Dioxide Electroreduction) for the Valorization of Pollutants to Value-Added Organic Products

• Grant number: 24/17176-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: February 29, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Process Industries
• Principal Investigator: Antonio Carlos Silva Costa Teixeira
• Grantee: Lívia Salles Martins
• Host Institution: Escola Politécnica (EP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Environmental concerns have led to increased research into Advanced Oxidative Processes (AOP), which aim to generate oxidizing radical species that react with organic pollutants, thereby degrading them. Complete mineralization of the pollutants yields CO2, H2O, and inorganic compounds. Additionally, considerable research has been devoted to capturing atmospheric CO2 and converting it into valuable organic derivatives to preserve environmental quality. Consequently, releasing CO2 present in aqueous media after complete mineralization of organic pollutants in advanced effluent treatment processes is recognized as both economically and operationally inefficient. Therefore, this Doctoral Research Project aims to explore the association between the electrochemical advanced oxidation of phenol, a model organic pollutant (POA), and the electrochemical reduction of the generated CO2 (RECO2), seeking energy efficiency and selectivity towards valuable organic compounds (e.g., methanol). This will be achieved through the meticulous selection of electrodes, optimization of operating conditions, and configuration of electrochemical systems, according to a holistic approach. To this end, electrodes with varying compositions and surface areas will be produced and characterized. Subsequently, the variables affecting RECO2 (such as pH, temperature, applied potential, current density, type of electrolyte and concentration, pollutant concentration, and flow rate, among others) will be optimized using an electrochemical flow cell. Furthermore, a reactor and electrochemical route will be optimized concerning energy consumption and selectivity for the desired derivatives. Ultimately, the combination of POA with RECO2 will be developed and assessed, culminating in a process capable of transforming pollutants into valuable organic compounds.