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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
08:34
A Dual-Functional Electroactive Filter Towards Simultaneously Sb(III) Oxidation and Sequestration
Published on: December 5, 2019
Enhanced surface active state by multicomponent coordination on dual-electric centers for multiobjective drinking
Yumeng Wang1, Wu Cai2, Han Zhang2
1School of Environment and Climate, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
Water Research
|July 31, 2026
Summary
A novel Fe(II)/Fe(III)-GL@Fe(0) biofilter effectively removes micropollutants like PFAS and antibiotics from drinking water. This advanced filtration significantly reduces disinfection by-product precursors and antibiotic resistance genes, outperforming traditional methods.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Water Treatment Engineering
- Materials Science
Background:
- Current drinking water technologies struggle to remove micropollutants and disinfection by-product precursors (PDBPs) from dissolved organic carbon (DOC).
- Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and antibiotics pose significant risks to water quality and public health.
- Traditional biological activated carbon (BAC) processes can lead to pollutant accumulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish and evaluate a novel Fe(II)/Fe(III) coordinated graphene-like (GL) encapsulating Fe(0) (Fe(II)/Fe(III)-GL@Fe(0)) biofilter for treating drinking water sources.
- To assess the biofilter's efficiency in removing specific micropollutants, including PFAS, antibiotics, and PDBPs.
- To investigate the underlying mechanisms, including microbial interactions and charge transfer, responsible for the observed removal efficiencies.
Main Methods:
- Development of a multicomponent Fe(II)/Fe(III)-GL@Fe(0) biofilter.
- Treatment of sand-filtered Pearl River water using the established biofilter.
- Quantification of removal efficiencies for targeted PFAS (PFOA, PFNA, PFOS, PFO3DA), antibiotics, and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs).
- Analysis of disinfection by-product formation potential (DBPFP) and opportunistic pathogens (OPs) after subsequent chlorine disinfection.
- Identification of interfacial charge transfer pathways and microbial community analysis.
Main Results:
- The Fe(II)/Fe(III)-GL@Fe(0) biofilter achieved high removal efficiencies: 68.6% for PFOA, 87.7% for PFNA, 100% for PFOS, and 100% for PFO3DA.
- Complete removal (100%) of nearly all tested antibiotics was observed, along with a significant reduction in ARGs.
- The biofilter suppressed DBPFP and effectively inactivated OPs during subsequent chlorine disinfection, outperforming BAC.
- Synergistic removal of PDBPs and micropollutants was attributed to the high active surface area and extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) mediation.
- An interfacial charge transfer channel was identified, promoting electroactive bacteria (EABs) enrichment and altering microbial metabolic pathways.
Conclusions:
- The Fe(II)/Fe(III)-GL@Fe(0) biofilter offers a highly efficient and sustainable solution for simultaneous multiobjective control in drinking water treatment.
- The synergy between the catalyst's surface electric field and microbial activity is crucial for effective micropollutant and PDBP removal.
- This technology provides a promising alternative to conventional methods, addressing challenges in removing persistent organic pollutants and antibiotic resistance.
- Further research into microbial-catalyst interactions can lead to even more advanced and sustainable water treatment strategies.
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