A novel combination of surfactant solubilization and electrooxidation for remediation of pyrene

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) present environmental challenges due to their hydrophobicity and persistence. This study proposes a novel approach combining three-dimensional electrocatalytic oxidation with surfactant-enhanced remediation, utilizing SnO 2 -Sb@TML particle electrodes to effectively degrade pyrene, a compound with extremely low solubility. Unlike conventional methods, this integrated system leverages surfactants—anionic (sodium lauryl sulfate), nonionic (Tween 80), and zwitterionic (cocamidopropyl betaine)—to maximize solubilization efficiency. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) exhibited the highest solubilization at 3.095 mg·L −1 under conditions of 5 CMC, pH 3, and 0.1 M Na 2 SO 4 , maintaining 98.2 % of its concentration over 480 min of electrocatalytic oxidation. Pyrene is solubilized within the micelle core of SLS. The optimized system achieved 98.9 % pyrene removal at a current density of 20 mA·cm −2 , electrode spacing of 5 cm, and 50 g particle electrode dosage, with a 55.76 % energy reduction (3.61 KWh·g −1 ) compared to two-dimensional systems. Analysis of reactive oxygen species identified hydroxyl radicals (•OH) as the primary oxidants, contributing 86.65 % to degradation. Intermediate product analysis via GC-MS/MS revealed degradation pathways involving compounds like 4-phenanthrenecarboxylic acid and phthalic acid, providing insights into the oxidative breakdown of pyrene. This innovative system not only enhances degradation efficiency but also offers a sustainable, low-energy solution for persistent hydrophobic contaminants, expanding the applicability of electrocatalytic oxidation technology. These findings advance theoretical understanding and provide practical pathways for effective PAHs remediation.