Preparation, modification and environmental application of carbon monoliths assisted by the electric field: A review

The remediation of industrial wastewater still faces challenges, which is of great practical significance for the industrial and academic communities. Electrosorption is considered an attractive and efficient technology to treat wastewater with the advantages of energy-saving and low-cost. Using carbon monolith as electrode materials to remove pollutants from wastewater has not been well summarized and discussed. Also, the difference between the two perform models, such as Flow-by and Flow-through models, used in the electrosorption is discussed, which is an overlooked issue. The role of carbon monoliths in the removal of pollutants under the assistance of an electric field is entirely elaborated. The possibility of metal extraction under the assistance of the electric field is discussed as well. • Remediation of industrial wastewater is the ongoing challenge. • Carbon monolith as the adsorbent with the electric field is the promising strategy. • Texture and surface chemistry of carbon monolith affect the removal performance. • Flow-by and Flow-through models greatly influence the removal performance. • Organic and inorganic contaminants are treated efficiently by this method.