BACKGROUNDThe exploration of new technology based on electro-Fenton-like process has advantageous and unique environmental implications, however, scaling up to permit operation in continuous mode is a decisive stage to be researched. RESULTSA new metal-organic composite, manganese-alginate (Mn-AB) was synthesized. It was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and the results showed that manganese was uniformly distributed on the surface of alginate beads. A comparative study of the decolorization of Reactive Black 5 demonstrated that the best performance was obtained by heterogeneous electro-Fenton using Mn-AB as catalyst. In addition, operation over four successive batches and continuous mode, showed high activity and stability of the catalyst Mn-AB without operational problems, and maintained particle shape throughout the oxidation process. The ability of Mn-AB catalyst for the degradation of other pollutants (imidacloprid, di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate, 4-nitrophenol) was confirmed by identification of several reaction intermediates using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). CONCLUSIONThe efficiency of the new Fenton-like catalyst developed in this study was successfully demonstrated. Results validate an adequate heterogeneous electro-Fenton-like process to continuously remediate organic pollutants in aqueous medium. (c) 2014 Society of Chemical Industry