Generation of sulfate radical through heterogeneous catalysis for organic contaminants removal: Current development, challenges and prospects

[Display omitted] •Recent development in heterogeneous catalysts for PMS activation is reviewed.•Development of carbon-based catalysts for PMS activation is highlighted.•Strategies for identification of principal reactive radicals from PMS/PS systems are discussed.•Challenges and mitigation strategies of catalytic PMS/PS activation are proposed.•Future research direction and application of heterogeneous sulfate radical-AOP are proposed. Sulfate radical-based advanced oxidation processes (SR-AOPs) employing heterogeneous catalysts to generate sulfate radical (SO4−) from peroxymonosulfate (PMS) and persulfate (PS) have been extensively employed for organic contaminant removal in water. This article aims to provide a state–of–the–art review on the recent development in heterogeneous catalysts including single metal, mixed metal, and nonmetal carbon catalysts for organic contaminants removal, with particular focus on PMS activation. The hybrid heterogeneous catalyst/PMS systems integrated with other advanced oxidation technologies is also discussed. Several strategies for the identification of principal reactive radicals in SO4−–oxidation systems are evaluated, namely (i) use of chemical probe or spin trapping agent coupled with analytical tools, and (ii) competitive kinetic approach using selective radical scavengers. The main challenges and mitigation strategies pertinent to the SR-AOPs are identified, which include (i) possible formation of oxyanions and disinfection byproducts, and (ii) dealing with sulfate produced and residual PMS. Potential future applications and research direction of SR-AOPs are proposed. These include (i) novel reactor design for heterogeneous catalytic system based on batch or continuous flow (e.g. completely mixed or plug flow) reactor configuration with catalyst recovery, and (ii) catalytic ceramic membrane incorporating SR-AOPs.