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Updated: Sep 27, 2025

A Dual-Functional Electroactive Filter Towards Simultaneously SbIII Oxidation and Sequestration
Published on: December 5, 2019
Biochar-based asymmetric membrane for selective removal and oxidation of hydrophobic organic pollutants
Zhen Qiu1, Yuyao Zhang1, Xiaoying Zhu1
1Department of Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Organic Pollution Process and Control, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
Abstract:
Hydrophobic organic pollutants (HOCs) in the complex groundwater and soil pose serious technical challenges for sustainable remediation. Herein, an asymmetric membrane (PCAM), inspired by the plant cuticle, was comprised of a top polydimethylsiloxane layer being selectively penetrable to HOCs from complex solution with humic acid, followed by transfer and catalyst layers with biochar pyrolyzed by 300 °C (BC300) and 700 °C (BC700). The PCAM triggered the advanced oxidation of the coming pollutant. The graphitized biochar layer of the PCAM acted as catalysts that induced HOC removal through a non-radical oxidation pathway. Compared to one type biochar membrane, the sequential multi-biochar composite membrane had a faster removal efficiency. The greater uptake and transport performance of multi-biochar composite membrane could be due to the larger pore size and distribution properties of PCAM physicochemical properties and oxidative degradation of peroxymonosulfate. The developed PCAM technology benefits from selective adsorption and catalytic oxidation and has the potential to be applied in complex environmental restoration.
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