Supercritical CO2 and oxidant mixtures for accelerated pesticide deconstruction
Single-step extraction and oxidative deconstruction of pesticides using supercritical CO2 combined with hydrogen peroxide. This approach replaces conventional two-step pathways, offering efficient removal of contaminants such as atrazine and polyaromatic hydrocarbons from soils, water, and plastic surfaces.
Overview
This solution integrates supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) into a single-step process for extracting and deconstructing pesticides from contaminated substrates. Conventional remediation typically requires separate extraction and degradation stages, increasing cost, time, and handling complexity. By combining both functions in one reactor, the technology streamlines cleanup of pesticides such as atrazine and polyaromatic hydrocarbons from soils, water resources, and plastic surfaces. The approach also explores decoupled scCO2 extraction followed by H2O2-based deconstruction as a comparative pathway, giving operators flexibility depending on feedstock and contaminant profile.
Technical specifications
Process conditions and chemistry:
- scCO2 operated at 80 to 200 bar and 25 to 90 degrees Celsius, with or without saturation levels of H2O2
- H2O2 generates reactive oxidative species capable of deconstructing complex pesticide molecules such as deethylatrazine
- Targets include atrazine, deethylatrazine, and polyaromatic hydrocarbons across solid and aqueous substrates
- Prototype reactor under testing evaluates single-step extraction and deconstruction
- Planned electrochemical production of H2O2 from O2 and electricity for distributed, on-site oxidant generation
- Investigation of how molecular structure of different pesticides affects extraction and degradation efficiency
Demonstrated performance:
- scCO2 at 70 to 100 bar and 40 to 90 degrees Celsius extracted more than 80 percent of atrazine from plastic surfaces and water within 24 hours
- H2O2-based systems have been reported to degrade more than 90 percent of deethylatrazine
- Prior work established scCO2 effectiveness for extracting organics and metals from solid and aqueous substrates
- Prior work generated reactive oxidative species from H2O2 for deconstructing complex macromolecules
Technology readiness level
The technology is at an early-to-mid stage of development. A prototype reactor for single-step extraction and deconstruction using scCO2 and H2O2 is currently being tested. Planned validation over a one-year study includes building a lab-based reactor prototype to map the influence of temperature, pressure, and H2O2 composition on pesticide deconstruction, developing protocols for soil and water remediation, and exploring electrochemical H2O2 production for distributed oxidant supply. The research team is positioned to advance the technology toward pilot-scale demonstration through sponsored research partnerships.
About Cornell University
Cornell University is a comprehensive private, land-grant research university with campuses in Ithaca and New York City, combining significant scale with cross-disciplinary breadth. Industry connects through open-access user facilities and prototyping labs, pilot-scale testbeds, and a research and technology park that provide pathways from discovery to demonstration. A statewide extension network and integration with a major hospital system enable real-world deployment, while a graduate campus embedded in New York City’s tech corridor provides direct access to startups, venture investors, and corporate R&D teams. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from agencies such as the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, the Department of Energy, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A dedicated technology transfer office streamlines IP management, licensing, startup formation, and corporate partnerships across campuses.
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