Electrocatalytic Oxidation: Enhancement Strategies for Catalyst Stability and Process Performance in Wastewater Treatment

Xingyu Chen; Duu-Jong Lee

Abstract

Electrocatalytic oxidation (EO) is considered an effective technology for removing recalcitrant organic compounds from industrial wastewater; however, its practical deployment remains limited by electrode deactivation, high energy consumption, and insufficient performance under complex wastewater conditions. This review discusses recent advances in overcoming the intrinsic trade-off between oxidation activity, electrode durability, energy efficiency, and practical applicability of EO systems. Strategies ranging from heteroatom-based electrode engineering and process intensification to sustainable integration and data-driven optimization are critically summarized. Particular emphasis is placed on how doping strategies regulate electrode structures and reaction pathways, how process integration improves treatment efficiency, and how artificial intelligence enables predictive design and adaptive operation. Future efforts should emphasize durability assessment, real wastewater validation, and intelligent EO development to promote the practical implementation of EO in sustainable wastewater treatment.

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