Sulfate radical-based advanced oxidation processes for water decontamination using biomass-derived carbon as catalysts

This review highlights the advances of sulfate radical (SO 4 •− )-based advanced oxidation processes (SR-AOPs) in water remediation using waste biomass-derived carbon materials as heterogeneous catalysts. After giving a brief overview of SR-AOPs and biomass-derived carbon materials, we showcase various formation pathways of SO 4 •− during peroxydisulfate (S 2 O 8 2− ) or peroxymonosulfate (HSO 5 − ) activation by various catalytic sites on carbons. The influences of water constituents or parameters and mechanism for SO 4 •− to react with organics are also summarized . We then outline challenges and future research directions to make waste biomass-derived carbon as a mainstream catalyst in SR-AOPs for industrial wastewater and water treatment.