Opportunities for coupled electrochemical and ion-exchange technologies to remove recalcitrant micropollutants in water

•A flow rig system with two compartments for micropollutant removal is proposed.•Carbon fibre was selected as positive electrode for the electrochemical compartment.•Electrooxidation of Ibuprofen and Diuron was evaluated in presence and absence of NaCl.•Coupling electrooxidation and ion-exchange resin was successful removing both pollutants.•Concentrations of Ibuprofen and Diuron dropped to 0.8 ppm and below detection limit, respectively.