Degradation of micropollutants in wastewater by hybrid treatment with low-energy electrons and ozone

Research output: Contribution to journal › Research article › Contributed › peer-review

Contributors

  • Lotte Ligaya Schaap - , Fraunhofer Institute for Organic Electronics, Electron Beam and Plasma Technology (Author)
  • Tobias Teichmann - , Fraunhofer Institute for Organic Electronics, Electron Beam and Plasma Technology (Author)
  • André Poremba - , Fraunhofer Institute for Organic Electronics, Electron Beam and Plasma Technology (Author)
  • Simone Schopf - , Fraunhofer Institute for Organic Electronics, Electron Beam and Plasma Technology, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (Author)
  • Steffen Heicke - , CREAVAC - Creative Vakuumbeschichtung GmbH (Author)
  • Anika Mayer - , CREAVAC - Creative Vakuumbeschichtung GmbH (Author)
  • Tobias Müller - , Coating Consulting Tobias Müller (Author)
  • Gösta Mattausch - , Fraunhofer Institute for Organic Electronics, Electron Beam and Plasma Technology (Author)
  • Elizabeth von Hauff - , Fraunhofer Institute for Organic Electronics, Electron Beam and Plasma Technology (Author)

Abstract

The increasing use of pharmaceuticals with high environmental persistence has led to continuously rising concentrations in aquatic ecosystems. Fraunhofer FEP is currently developing a hybrid wastewater treatment process that combines low-energy electrons and ozone to remove these emerging pollutants, which cannot be adequately removed by traditional wastewater treatment methods. The objective is to convert a broad range of micropollutants into intermediates amenable for removal in conventional wastewater purification plants. This study investigates solutions of select pharmaceuticals, which were treated and analyzed using High-performance liquid chromatography. Removal efficiencies greater than 99% were achieved, demonstrating the hybrid treatment’s success.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1743-1749
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of radioanalytical and nuclear chemistry
Volume335
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2026
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

External IDs

ORCID /0000-0002-6269-0540/work/223382273

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

Keywords

  • Advanced oxidation processes, Electron beam, Low-energy electrons, Micropollutants, Ozone, Wastewater treatment