New review paper on electrosorption of organic compounds published in Chemical Engineering Journal.

The progressing electrification of water remediation: review article on electrosorption of organic compounds in Chemical Engineering Journal.
 
I am happy to see now-online our latest review paper, which summarizes the science and technology of electrosorption of organic compounds (EOC). Traditional methods of water treatment, such as adsorption, encounter limitations when it comes to effectively removing ionic and hydrophilic organic contaminants. Moreover, the lack of on-site regeneration techniques further hinders the efficiency of these methods. EOC not only enhances the adsorption performance but also enables green electricity-assisted regeneration of the adsorbent.
 
Over the past decades, the field of EOC has witnessed exponential growth in research studies. Many examples demonstrate that the application of electrical potentials can remarkably enhance the adsorption affinity, capacity, and kinetics of conductive carbon adsorbents. However, it remains unclear whether these effects are specific to certain compound classes or universally applicable, and the optimal criteria for designing EOC processes remain elusive.
 
In our research, we conducted a critical evaluation of the current state of the art in EOC, with a primary focus on active control of adsorption and desorption processes and their effects on both ionic and neutral organic compounds. By thoroughly considering compound speciation and surface chemistry of electrode materials, we gained mechanistic insights into the EOC process and highlighted the differences between electrosorption of inorganic and organic compounds.
 
We have also proposed insightful performance parameters and provided clear definitions to unify the rapidly expanding research in the EOC field. By doing so, we aim to establish a foundation for consistent analysis and evaluation of EOC techniques. Furthermore, we discuss potential application scenarios and outline future research directions to guide the development of this exciting technology. EOS, thereby, is not a one-size-fits-all solution for removing contaminants. However, it offers a valuable tool, particularly for tackling the challenges posed by hydrophilic and ionic organic contaminants, which often prove difficult for conventional adsorption processes.
 
Thanks to the great team of scientists authoring the work from the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ): Navid Saeidi, Falk Harnisch, Franz-Dieter Kopinke, Anett Georgi