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Cobalt-based electrocatalytic membrane with integrated catalytic network for efficient dehalogenation
Lehui Ren1, Teng Cai1, Zhichao Wu1
1State Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Green Resource Recycling, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.
Journal of Hazardous Materials
|July 23, 2026
Summary
A novel cobalt-based electrocatalytic membrane (Co-EM) effectively removes halogenated antibiotics via electrochemical reductive dehalogenation. This advanced membrane integrates a unique catalytic network for enhanced pollutant removal and stability in real water conditions.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
Background:
- Halogenated antibiotics pose environmental risks.
- Conventional electrocatalysts for dehalogenation suffer from poor efficiency and stability.
- Efficient removal strategies are needed for contaminated water.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a cobalt-based electrocatalytic membrane (Co-EM) for efficient electrochemical reductive dehalogenation.
- To overcome limitations of conventional electrocatalysts, including active-site utilization, mass transport, and stability.
- To investigate the mechanism of dehalogenation using the Co-EM system.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a cobalt-based electrocatalytic membrane with a coupled catalytic network.
- Integration of cobalt nanoparticles and single atoms within an aramid nanofiber framework.
- Utilizing a porous flow-through architecture for enhanced mass transport.
- Experimental testing and Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations to elucidate the reaction mechanism.
Main Results:
- Achieved 98.6% removal of florfenicol (FLO) at 2 mA/cm² and a permeate flux of 25.5 L/m²/h.
- Demonstrated broad applicability to diverse halogenated pollutants (>95% removal).
- Showcased substantial detoxification of transformation products and stable operation in real surface water with minimal cobalt leaching (<0.002 ppm).
Conclusions:
- The Co-EM system offers a promising solution for practical electrochemical dehalogenation of antibiotics.
- The coupled catalytic network and flow-through architecture enhance pollutant removal efficiency and catalyst stability.
- This membrane-electrocatalyst design strategy provides a viable route for treating complex water environments.
Keywords:
Co-based synergistic structureElectrocatalytic membraneElectrochemical dehalogenationWater purificationMore Related Videos
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