Carbon Nanotubes as Controllable Electric-Field-Induced Bipolar Electrodes for Efficient Water Purification

Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are the most efficient water cleaning technologies, but their applications face critical challenges in terms of mass/electron transfer limitations and catalyst loss/deactivation. Bipolar electrochemistry (BPE) is a wireless technique that is promising for energy and environmental applications. However, the synergy between AOPs and BPE has not been explored. In this study, by combining BPE with AOPs, we develop a general approach of using carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as electric-field-induced bipolar electrodes to control electron transfer for efficient water purification. This approach can be used for permanganate and peroxide activation, with superior performances in the degradation of refractory organic pollutants and excellent durability in recycling and scale-up experiments. Theoretical calculations, in situ measurements, and physical experiments showed that an electric field could substantially reduce the energy barrier of electron transfer over CNTs and induce them to produce bipolar electrodes via electrochemical polarization or to form monopolar electrodes through a single particle collision effect with feeding electrodes. This approach can continuously provide activated electrons from one pole of bipolar electrodes and simultaneously achieve "self-cleaning" of catalysts through CNT-mediated direct oxidation from another pole of bipolar electrodes. This study provides a fundamental scientific understanding of BPE, expands its scope in the environmental field, and offers a general methodology for water purification.