Recent Advances in Plasma Electrochemistry for Removal of Emerging Contaminants from Water

Abstract Emerging contaminants (ECs) in aquatic environments, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), pesticides, and microplastics, pose significant threats to ecosystems and human health due to their bioaccumulative nature, persistence, and high toxicity. Plasma electrochemistry has recently emerged as a promising technology for degrading ECs in aqueous environments. By generating plasma in contact with water, this method induces chemical reactions that produce reactive species in situ, such as hydrated electrons (eaq–), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), which facilitate the degradation of ECs. However, significant challenges remain, such as understanding the formation and functionality of various reactive species at the plasma-liquid interface. This review summarizes advancements over the past three years in applying plasma electrochemistry for removing PFAS, PPCPs, pesticides, and microplastics from water, reflecting the rapid growth of research in response to the urgent need for more effective and sustainable treatment of ECs. It provides a detailed discussion of the roles of reactive species, plasma generation in various reactor configurations, and the underlying degradation mechanisms. Additionally, the challenges and prospects of plasma electrochemistry for ECs treatment are outlined.