Review of aminopolycarboxylic acids–based metal complexes application to water and wastewater treatment by (photo-)Fenton process at neutral pH

Development of active catalysts for Fenton and photo-Fenton processes at neutral pH is a crucial need for future applications of advanced oxidation processes for tertiary wastewater treatment at the industrial scale. Fenton and photo-Fenton application to wastewater treatment has not been feasible at full scale so far because optimum conditions are commonly achieved under acidic pH, useful to inhibit iron precipitation as hydroxides. In this review, we report on the design and application of aminopolycarboxylic acid–based metal complexes for the removal of contaminants of emerging concern from wastewater at circumneutral pH. We suggest new perspectives for the preparation of new catalytic systems following the 12 principles of green chemistry.