Gravity-driven rattan-based catalytic filter for rapid and highly efficient organic pollutant removal

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science & Engineering
• Materials Science
• Catalysis

Background:

• Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) show potential as heterogeneous catalysts for sulfate radical-based advanced oxidation processes.
• Powdered MOF aggregation and difficult recovery limit their practical application in large-scale wastewater treatment.
• Development of eco-friendly, immobilized MOF catalysts on adaptable substrates is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and evaluate a gravity-driven, rattan-based catalytic filter for degrading organic pollutants.
• To immobilize ZIF-67 MOFs onto rattan using a continuous flow method for enhanced catalytic performance.
• To assess the filter's efficiency, stability, and recyclability in activating peroxymonosulfate (PMS) at high liquid fluxes.

Main Methods:

• In-situ growth of ZIF-67 on the inner surface of rattan channels via a continuous flow method.
• Utilizing the hierarchical pore structure and aligned microchannels of rattan as a substrate for MOF immobilization.
• Testing the catalytic performance of the ZIF-67@rattan filter in degrading organic pollutants activated by PMS.

Main Results:

• The ZIF-67@rattan filter achieved up to 100% treatment efficiency at a high flux of 10173.6 L·m⁻²·h⁻¹.
• The composite material demonstrated excellent recyclability and stability, with 69.34% TOC removal after ten cycles.
• Rattan's microchannels enhanced pollutant-degradation efficiency and composite stability by promoting active group-contaminant interaction.

Conclusions:

• A gravity-driven, rattan-based catalytic filter effectively immobilizes ZIF-67 for efficient organic pollutant degradation.
• This eco-friendly system offers a promising strategy for developing renewable and continuous catalytic wastewater treatment solutions.
• The hierarchical structure of rattan enhances catalytic activity and material stability, overcoming limitations of powdered MOFs.