A Critical Review Of Electrode Materials, Reaction Mechanisms, And Reactor Designs In Electrocoagulation For Wastewater Treatment

Khudair, RT, Jahad, UA and Hashim, KS ORCID: 0000-0001-9623-4060 (2026) A Critical Review Of Electrode Materials, Reaction Mechanisms, And Reactor Designs In Electrocoagulation For Wastewater Treatment. Acta Scientiarum Polonorum. Formatio Circumiectus, 25 (2). pp. 3-33. ISSN 1644-0765

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Abstract

Aim of the study Electrocoagulation (EC) is a well-established wastewater treatment technique that has been extensively investigated for a variety of wastewater contaminants. The aim of the paper is to review electrocoagulation (EC) as a wastewater treatment method. Methods and materials The paper summarises and explains recent developments in reactor geometries and scale-up, electrode materials and modifications, reaction mechanisms and kinetics, and operating parameters (current density, pH, conductivity, inter-electrode distance, temperature). The review covers coupled, hybrid EC-based systems, providing comparative performance by wastewater type, and evaluates the techno-economic and environmental factors that influence field implementation. Results and conclusions The key findings of the paper are: 1) iron-and aluminum-based electrodes remain dominant, but non-metal-lic and modified electrodes show promise for improved selectivity and reduced passivation; 2) the primary removal mechanisms are anodic electro-dissolution, followed by hydrolysis and adsorption/sweeping flocculation, and kinetic behavior varies by pollutant category and reactor operation mode; 3) reactor design (A/V ratio, electrode geometry, flow regime) exerts a pronounced influence on mass transfer, energy consumption, and scale-up potential; 4) practical limitations include passivation of electrodes, energy consumption, and sludge management. The review concludes with targeted research trajectories (anti-passivation material design, standard pilot-scale test procedures, lifecycle assessments, biological and membrane system integration approaches) and outline where future work will optimally fill knowledge gaps.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	electrocoagulation; wastewater treatment; electrodes; reactor design; reaction mechanism; 4004 Chemical Engineering; 40 Engineering; 4011 Environmental Engineering
Subjects:	T Technology > TD Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering
Divisions:	Engineering and Built Environment
Publisher:	University of Agriculture in Krakow
Date of acceptance:	13 February 2026
Date of first compliant Open Access:	11 September 2026
Date Deposited:	11 Sep 2026 12:14
Last Modified:	11 Sep 2026 12:14
DOI or ID number:	10.15576/ASP.FC/218104
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/29395

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