Sustainable Options for Liquidwaste Utilization Through Innovative OxidatioN

ongoing

Among several advanced oxidation techniques, photoelectrochemical oxidation (PEC) by bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) processes where both electrical (electrochemical oxidation) and light (photocatalysis) energy are synergistically harnessed to degrade organic contaminants has received major attention due to its excellent resistance to photocatalytic corrosion, narrow band structure, and low cost. However, high charge recombination, caused by nanoporous BiVO4 photoanodes weakens the charge transport, and this could be improved by introducing surface modification using quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs). The proposed Fellowship–Sustainable Options for Liquidwaste Utilization Through Innovative OxidatioN (SOLUTION) offers a novel photoanode material and fabrication technique in a peroxymonosulfate (PMS) system using surface-modified BiVO4 (Q-BiVO4) to remove emerging contaminants such as poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), pharmaceuticals, including antibiotics from WATCH list and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in secondary treated wastewater (sewage) effluent. SOLUTION also meets SDG 6 set by United Nations. Modelling of the PEC system and subsequent lifecycle analysis will facilitate EU industries to produce water for safe use through an eco-friendly and sustainable route, thus preserving the environment’s biodiversity. The Fellowship will also train the researcher in a broad range of techniques that will expand his research portfolio by undergoing intensive training on material characterization, electrode fabrication, modelling, and life cycle analysis at TU Delft, Netherlands. This training, combined with his strong background in analytical environmental chemistry, and wastewater treatment, will significantly expand his skill set, generating a highly valued researcher in the promising European wastewater treatment sector. The project will also enable long-term collaborations between the Fellow’s previous institutes and the EU.