Metallic glass-based advanced oxidation processes in formation control of disinfection by-products in drinking water treatment

While drinking water disinfection remains a cornerstone of public health by mitigating waterborne pathogens, the generation of carcinogenic disinfection by-products (DBPs) presents an escalating global challenge. This study systematically evaluates persulfate-driven advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) coupled with Fe-Si-B amorphous alloy ribbons as catalytic mediators in pre/post-chlorination treatment trains. Surface reconstruction of the metallic glass ribbons through persulfate exposure induced a hydrophilic transition (water contact angle: from 88.7° to 28.6°/43.9°), enhancing interfacial reactivity. Both peroxydisulfate (PDS, S 2 O 8 2– ) and peroxymonosulfate (PMS, HSO 5 – ) demonstrated effective activation by Fe-Si-B, achieving 61.2–88.7 % total organic carbon (TOC) removal via synergistic radical (SO 4 − / OH/ O 2 •− ) and non-radical (Fe(IV), 1 O 2 ) pathways. The best treatment group achieved with PDS/Fe-Si-B treatment followed by post-chlorination process which successfully reduced the formation of chlorinated-DBPs (Cl-DBPs) and brominated-DBPs (Br-DBPs) by 65.3 % and 67.4 %, respectively. Notably, asymmetric PMS preferentially oxidized bromide (Br – ) to hypobromous acid (HOBr), elevating Br-DBPs yields by 43.4 % during subsequent chlorination, indicating that PDS outperformed PMS in controlling the formation of DBPs. By contrast, the PDS/Fe-Si-B system suppressed more DBP formation by 44.1–49.5 % compared to conventional granular activated carbon (GAC) adsorption treatment, attributed to its superior pre-oxidation of DBP precursors. These findings establish metallic glass-activated persulfate systems as a dual-functional solution for simultaneous humic acid abatement and DBP mitigation in advanced water treatment.