Microwaves in advanced oxidation processes for environmental applications. A brief review

This review article focuses, albeit non-exhaustively, on the influence of microwave radiation on photoassisted processes often referred to as Advanced Oxidation Processes. In particular, we describe and illustrate the possible advantages of microwaves in TiO2-assisted photodegradations and photomineralizations of various organic pollutants such as herbicides and endocrine disruptors, among others. Described are also various reactor configurations involving UV/visible radiation and microwaves, with the former being supplied either by traditional Hg lamps or alternatively by electrodeless lamps activated by microwaves. To place the use of microwaves on processes occurring in aqueous TiO2 dispersions in perspective regarding environmental applications, we first introduce the various sources of pollutants and subsequently describe in brief the various advanced oxidation processes such as UV/peroxidation, UV/ozonation and the photo-Fenton process(es) in addition to direct photolysis either by sunlight or by artificial light sources.