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Metallic iron (Fe 0 )-based filtration systems have the potential to significantly contribute to the achievement of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of substantially improving the human condition by 2030 through the provision of clean water. Recent knowledge on Fe 0 -based safe drinking water filters is addressed herein. They are categorized into two types: Household and community filters. Design criteria are recalled and operational details are given. Scientists are invited to co-develop knowledge enabling the exploitation of the great potential of Fe 0 filters for sustainable safe drinking water provision (and sanitation).

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Alkaloid extract from Rauvolfia macrophylla Stapf (AERMS) was studied as the corrosion inhibitor for C38 steel in 1 M HCl and 0.5 M H 2 SO 4 using electrochemistry and surface analysis. The corrosion inhibition was efficient and proceeds via adsorption of AERMS on the steel surface due to the active functional groups present in the molecules. AERMS acts as a mixed inhibitor in HCl and as a cathodic inhibitor in H 2 SO 4 . In H 2 SO 4 corrosive medium, the presence of iodides improves the adsorption of the alkaloid molecules by reducing the surface charge of the electrode and thus substantially decreases the corrosion rate. Two pure alkaloids (tetrahydroalastonine (THA) and perakine (PER)) were quantitatively isolated from AERMS, and their anticorrosive properties for C38 steel in 1 M HCl and 0.5 M H 2 SO 4 were evaluated. THA showed the highest efficiency while the performance of PER was less important compared to the extract. This confirms that the efficiency of AERMS was the result of the complementary action of the chemical compounds present in the extract.

Filtration systems containing metallic iron as reactive medium (Fe0 beds) have been intensively used for water treatment during the last two decades. The sustainability of Fe0 beds is severely confined by two major factors: (i) reactivity loss as result of the formation of an oxide scale on Fe0 and (ii) permeability loss due to pore filling by generated iron corrosion products. Both factors are inherent to iron corrosion at pH > 4.5 and are common during the lifespan of a Fe0 bed. It is of great practical significance to improve the performance of Fe0 beds by properly addressing these key factors. Recent studies have shown that both reactivity loss and permeability loss could be addressed by mixing Fe0 and inert materials. For a non‐porous additive like quartz, the threshold value for the Fe0 volumetric proportion is 51%. Using the Fe0/quartz system as reference, this study theoretically discusses the possibility of (i) replacing Fe0 by bimetallic systems (e.g., Fe0/Cu0), or (ii) partially replacing quartz by a reactive metal oxide (MnO2 or TiO2) to improve the efficiency of Fe0 beds. Results confirmed the suitability of both tools for sustaining Fe0 bed performance. It is shown that using a Fe0:MnO2 system with the volumetric proportion 51:49 will yield a filter with 40% residual porosity at Fe0 depletion (MnO2 porosity 62%). This study improves Fe0 bed design and can be considered as a basis for further refinement and detailed research for efficient Fe0 filters.

Inadequate access to safe drinking water is one of the most pervasive problems currently afflicting the developing world. Scientists and engineers are called to present affordable but efficient solutions, particularly applicable to small communities. Filtration systems based on metallic iron (Fe0) are discussed in the literature as one such viable solution, whether as a stand-alone system or as a complement to slow sand filters (SSFs). Fe0 filters can also be improved by incorporating biochar to form Fe0-biochar filtration systems with potentially higher contaminant removal efficiencies than those based on Fe0 or biochar alone. These three low-cost and chemical-free systems (Fe0, biochar, SSFs) have the potential to provide universal access to safe drinking water. However, a well-structured systematic research is needed to design robust and efficient water treatment systems based on these affordable filter materials. This communication highlights the technology being developed to use Fe0-based systems for decentralized safe drinking water provision. Future research directions for the design of the next generation Fe0-based systems are highlighted. It is shown that Fe0 enhances the efficiency of SSFs, while biochar has the potential to alleviate the loss of porosity and uncertainties arising from the non-linear kinetics of iron corrosion. Fe0-based systems are an affordable and applicable technology for small communities in low-income countries, which could contribute to attaining self-reliance in clean water supply and universal public health.