Nanoconfined catalytic water purification within CoFeCu LDH-assembled membrane nanochannels.

Herein, we developed a trimetallic CoFeCu-layered double hydroxide (LDH) assembled nanoconfined catalytic membrane, innovatively combining membrane filtration and advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). The CoFeCu-LDH nanoconfined catalytic membrane was shown to directly oxidize and mineralize micropollutants, rather than concentrating them within the brine, while also maintaining high water permeability with harmless membrane permeate. The first-order rate constant for 100% degradation of endocrine disrupting chemicals (bisphenol A), and pharmaceuticals (ranitidine, carbamazepine, oxytetracycline) (e.g., 2.40 ms−1 for ranitidine) by the CoFeCu-LDH catalytic membrane and its ultra-high water permeance of 2378.4 LMH/bar, were 1–3 orders of magnitude and 2−2000-fold higher than that of other state-of-the-art catalytic membranes, respectively. This study provides a reference for the development of sustainable and efficient catalytic membranes for water purification. [Display omitted] • CoFeCu-LDH membrane achieves 100 % removal of diverse organic pollutants. • The degradation rate is 101−3 times higher than the reported AOP systems. • CoFeCu-LDH membrane demonstrates ultra-high water permeance of 2378.4 LMH/bar. • The CoFeCu-LDH membrane/PMS system has a negative E ads value (-5.034 eV). • DFT calculations elucidate the mechanism of electron transfer and PMS activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]