Since the pollution of algae blooms has seriously affected drinking water safety for a long time

it is urgent to develop effective techniques to control and reduce algal reproduction. By using Pt/Ti anode and ACF/Ni cathode

effects of the parameters such as cathode materials (ACF/Ni and stainless steel) as well as the concentration and valence state of iron added on the electrochemical removal of algae were investigated to explore the removal efficiency and mechanism of algae in the Pt/Ti-ACF/Ni-Fe2+ electrochemical system. Results showed that under the conditions of Fe2+ concentration of 0.05 mmol/L

current density of 50 mA/cm2

inter-electrode gap of 1.0 cm

initial pH of 6.0

and initial algal cell density of 1.2×109-1.4×109 cells/L

93% of the algae cells were removed in 15 min. Based on the analyses of ferric ion concentration

H2O2 concentration

and pH in the experiments

indirect detection of ·OH

FTIR analysis of ACF

SEM images of algae

and ACF/Ni and BET analyses of ACF

mechanism of algae removal was revealed in the Pt/Ti-ACF/Ni-Fe2+ system. H2O2 was generated efficiently through electrochemical reduction on the surface of the ACF/Ni cathode

the iron in solid phase generated during the reaction was precipitated on the surface of ACF/Ni cathode with the electrochemical reduction of Fe(Ⅲ) to Fe(Ⅱ)

and meanwhile ·OH would be generated in the Pt/Ti-ACF/Ni-Fe2+ algae removal system. Heterogeneous and homogenous electro-Fenton processes were the main mechanism in the Pt/Ti-ACF/Ni-Fe2+ algae removal system.