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[Display omitted] • Floatable P-ZsZc was prepared by pre-seeding ZnO followed by hydrothermal treatment. • P-ZsZc shows an uplifted valence band and new covalent Zn-O-C bonds. • Combining ZnO with PU improves photo-corrosion by boosting the h+ mobility. • Scavenger experiments and ESR spin trap analysis revealed H 2 O 2 as the main ROS. • The P-ZsZc achieved up to ∼ 90% SMX removal in continuous flow experiments. A highly efficient rigid floatable photocatalyst was prepared by seeding ZnO in polyurethane (PU) and subsequent hydrothermal ZnO coating (P-ZsZc). Compared to pristine ZnO, granular P-ZsZc had an uplifted valence band (VB) and generated new covalent Zn-O-C bond between PU and ZnO, resulting in a significantly enhanced photocorrosion resistance by boosting the mobility of photoexcited holes. In addition, the VB of P-ZsZc was favorable for the in-situ oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and H 2 O 2 production. As a result, the P-ZsZc achieved ∼ 98% removal of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) within 2 h for 5 consecutive cycles. Moreover, the SMX removal rate and Zn(II) leaching remained at ∼ 0.036 min−1 and 0.17 mg L−1, respectively, even during the fifth cycle for 10 h. Furthermore, scavenger experiments and electron spin resonance (ESR) spin trap analysis revealed that the main photogenerated reactive oxygen species (ROS) was H 2 O 2. Floatable P-ZsZc showed constant SMX removal of ∼ 90% in continuous flow experiments (CFEs) for up to 10 h of operation. This study offers a new approach to prepare floatable rigid photocatalysts capable of in-situ oxygen and H 2 O 2 production to degrade organic pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel integration of adsorption followed by catalytic oxidation is expected to be more beneficial for higher Mn(II) removal performance. We prepared self-assembled 3D flower-like Mg(OH) 2 coated on granular-sized polyurethane (namely FMHP) via hydrothermal method at 120 °C under a facile synthesis route. The optimized material, FMHP prepared with 7 g MgO and 20 g polyurethane (FMH 0.35 P), achieved up to 351.2 mg g−1 Mn(II) removal capacity by Langmuir isotherm model. Besides, FMHP exhibited high Mn(II) removal in a wide range of NaCl concentration (0~0.1 M) and pH 2–9. Notably, through consecutive kinetics, BET, XPS, XRD, FESEM, and TEM analyses, it was found that the MnO x layer grows in-situ via ion exchange with Mg(II) on FMHP and further boosts the Mn(II) removal via catalytic oxidation during the Mn(II) removal process. Further, column experiments revealed that the FMH 0.35 P exhibited superior Mn(II) removal capacities up to 135.9 mg g−1 and highly compatible treatment costs ($0.062 m−3) compared to conventional chemical processes. The granular-sized FMH 0.35 P prepared by economic precursors and simple synthesis route revealed a high potential for Mn(II) containing water treatment due to its high removal capacities and easy operation. [Display omitted] • Self-assembled 3D flower-like Mg(OH) 2 coated on granular-sized PU was prepared. • FMH 0.35 P, achieved up to 351.2 mg g−1 Mn(II) removal capacity. • FMHP exhibited high Mn(II) removal in a wide range of NaCl (0~0.1 M) and pH 2–9. • MnO x layer occurs in-situ and further catalytically oxidizes Mn(II) on FMHP. • Column application of FMH 0.35 P exhibited highly compatible treatment costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel integration of adsorption followed by catalytic oxidation is expected to be more beneficial for higher Mn(II) removal performance. We prepared self-assembled 3D flower-like Mg(OH) 2 coated on granular-sized polyurethane (namely FMHP) via hydrothermal method at 120 °C under a facile synthesis route. The optimized material, FMHP prepared with 7 g MgO and 20 g polyurethane (FMH 0.35 P), achieved up to 351.2 mg g−1 Mn(II) removal capacity by Langmuir isotherm model. Besides, FMHP exhibited high Mn(II) removal in a wide range of NaCl concentration (0~0.1 M) and pH 2–9. Notably, through consecutive kinetics, BET, XPS, XRD, FESEM, and TEM analyses, it was found that the MnO x layer grows in-situ via ion exchange with Mg(II) on FMHP and further boosts the Mn(II) removal via catalytic oxidation during the Mn(II) removal process. Further, column experiments revealed that the FMH 0.35 P exhibited superior Mn(II) removal capacities up to 135.9 mg g−1 and highly compatible treatment costs ($0.062 m−3) compared to conventional chemical processes. The granular-sized FMH 0.35 P prepared by economic precursors and simple synthesis route revealed a high potential for Mn(II) containing water treatment due to its high removal capacities and easy operation. [Display omitted] • Self-assembled 3D flower-like Mg(OH) 2 coated on granular-sized PU was prepared. • FMH 0.35 P, achieved up to 351.2 mg g−1 Mn(II) removal capacity. • FMHP exhibited high Mn(II) removal in a wide range of NaCl (0~0.1 M) and pH 2–9. • MnO x layer occurs in-situ and further catalytically oxidizes Mn(II) on FMHP. • Column application of FMH 0.35 P exhibited highly compatible treatment costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]