Advanced oxidation processes for water disinfection: Features, mechanisms and prospects

[Display omitted] •AOPs are effective technologies for oxidative pathogen elimination.•The key mechanisms of AOPs-based disinfection are discussed.•The characteristics of ROS and their inactivation pathways are showcased.•ROS oxidatively damaged the cell membrane, enzymes, and genetic materials.•Operational cost and energy consumption of different AOPs are analyzed. The disinfection of microbial pathogens plays an important role in control of waterborne diseases and health issues. Recently, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are applied as powerful and effective technologies for wastewater purification and pathogen elimination. This review will showcase the recent endeavors in the fields and provide a comprehensive understanding of pathogens inactivation by diverse AOPs (i.e., Fenton processes, photocatalysis, electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs), sonolysis, ozonation, and persulfate-based AOPs). The mechanisms of AOPs-based disinfection include the destruction of cell envelope, enzymes, and intracellular substances via diverse reactive oxygen species (ROS). The primary ROS are HO·, SO4•−, O2•−, 1O2, and O3, which exhibit different oxidative capacities, and can react with cell envelope to destroy the permeability of cell membrane. Specifically, this review emphasizes on the performances and mechanisms of different AOPs systems in microbial inactivation as well as perspectives in practical applications of disinfection in terms of feasibility, operating cost, and sustainability.