Electrochemical degradation of fluoxetine with simultaneous electrogeneration of hydrogen peroxide and ozone

Abstract

Antidepressants are highly prescribed drugs worldwide, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, in which many people developed clinical cases of depression and anxiety, mainly due to stress and the need for social isolation. This increase has brought ecological concerns, since most of these compounds are difficult to degrade in traditional wastewater treatment systems. Fluoxetine hydrochloride (FLX) stands out as one such drugs and is frequently detected in environmental waters and effluents. In this regard, there is a need to study and apply viable treatment alternatives for the removal of these contaminants from aqueous effluents. Advanced oxidative processes (AOP) represent an interesting and convenient option, and are based on the in-situ formation of strongly oxidizing species capable of degrading emerging contaminants. To this end, the electrochemical process through the simultaneous in-situ electrogeneration of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at the cathode (gas diffusion electrode-GDE) and ozone (O3) at the anode (DIACHEM® lattice BDD) will be explored for the degradation of FLX. The experiments will be performed with different flow rates and density currents and will be analyzed by in-situ measurement of H2O2, O3 and FLX. The internship will contribute decisively to the ongoing project of the undergraduate student and will bring innovative wastewater electrochemical treatment techniques to the Brazilian research team. (AU)