Electrochemical hydrogenation of halogenated disinfection byproducts in drinking water purification

Halogenated disinfection byproducts (DBPs) pose significant health risks owing to their widespread occurrence and high toxicity in drinking water. Traditional water treatment technologies often fail to remove these toxic compounds without generating secondary pollutants. Herein, we report a sustainable and highly efficient electrochemical hydrogenation (ECH) strategy using a delicately designed ruthenium nanoparticle-modified electrochemical‑hydrogen-membrane (Ru NPs-EHM) reactor, which enables the complete conversion of halogenated DBPs into non-toxic products without the need for supporting electrolyte. The reactor achieves >99.9% conversion of 12 representative halogenated DBPs, with minimal formation of hazardous intermediates. The exceptional catalytic performance is attributed to the strong adsorption capability of Ru nanoparticles and the unique EHM configuration, which enhances both ECH selectivity and efficiency. This work presents a breakthrough in water treatment technology, offering a cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and scalable solution for the safe purification of drinking water.