Toward an Electrochemical Approach to On-Site Generation of Hydroxide and Hydrogen Peroxide for Scrubbing and Degrading Sulfuryl Fluoride Fumigant

Currently, the fumigant sulfuryl fluoride (SO2F2) is vented to the atmosphere after its use to control termites in structures and for postharvest disinfestation of durable agricultural products. Concerns over its high global warming potential are fostering efforts to develop wet scrubbers to capture and degrade SO2F2 fumes. This perspective details ongoing pilot tests demonstrating >95% capture and –OOH-mediated hydrolysis of SO2F2 to SO42– and F– using alkaline (pH ∼ 11.5) hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) scrubbing solutions. An electrochemical process is being developed to produce H2O2 and –OH within the scrubbing solution, valorizing the waste salts as a free source of electrical conductivity.