The synergism between electro-Fenton and electrocoagulation process to remove Cu-EDTA

[Display omitted] •An electrochemical reactor was designed for Cu-EDTA degradation.•The generation of OH radicals were responsible for the destruction of Cu-EDTA.•A method to remove the Cu-EDTA contaminant and copper metals simultaneously. Heavy metal contamination in water has a serious risk to public health and other life forms on earth. In this study, the electrochemical destruction of Cu-EDTA and the removal of liberated Cu2+ ions with iron plate anode and stainless steel cathode were investigated. Cu-EDTA contaminant was destroyed by the combination of electro-Fenton and electrocoagulation method. Its performance was evaluated in terms of the destruction of Cu-EDTA as a function of the current density, H2O2 concentration and initial pH. When the current density was 72.92 A/m2, the H2O2 concentration was 49.4 mM and the initial pH was 3.0, it was highly efficient for destruction of Cu-EDTA complexes and removal of copper ions from wastewater. The deposition generated in the electro-Fenton process was analyzed by Raman spectroscopy. The generated hydroxyl radicals in the electro-Fenton process were identified by the electron spin resonance, which was responsible for the destruction of Cu-EDTA.