Bimetallic catalytic ceramic membrane for sustained water purification: role of Cu in stabilizing reduced Co centers
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Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The development of multifunctional catalytic membranes that concurrently enable rapid contaminant degradation, antifouling resistance, and long-term operational stability remains a critical challenge in advanced water treatment. Here, we describe the preparation and testing of a rationally engineered bimetallic CoCu catalyst, anchored onto graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) via a glucose-mediated cascade anchoring method (CoCu-CN), and immobilized on to an alumina ceramic membrane (CoCu-CN/M). Atomic-level characterizations revealed the coexistence of surface Cosingle bondN4 species and bulk Cosingle bondCo coordination, and the electron-donating effect of Cu species stabilizes Co in an absolutely reduced state (Co0/Co-N4). This bimetallic configuration optimized the peroxymonosulfate (PMS) adsorption configuration (Eads = −3.05 eV) and facilitated Osingle bondO oxygen bond cleavage (IOsingle bondO = 1.477 Å), thereby accelerating the generation of reactive oxygen species, including SO4radical dot−, O2radical dot−, and 1O2. Consequently, the CoCu-CN system achieved complete degradation of a target pollutant carbamazepine (CBZ), with a reaction rate constant (kobs) of 0.755 min−1, corresponding to 158.9-fold and 3.23-fold enhancements compared to the monometallic Cu-CN and Co-CN systems, respectively. The CoCu-CN/M membrane demonstrated a high permeability (404.72 LMH/bar), sustained >98% CBZ removal over seven cycles, and exhibited strong antifouling performance. In surface water, the novel membrane maintained >95% degradation efficiency over 72 h of continuous operation, confirming its long-term stability. This study provides atomic-level insights into bimetallic catalytic activation and proposes an effective membrane-based solution for advanced water treatment.
Date Issued
2026-06-01
Date Acceptance
2026-04-16
Citation
Chemical Engineering Journal, 2026, 537
ISSN
1385-8947
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Journal / Book Title
Chemical Engineering Journal
Volume
537
Copyright Statement
Copyright © 2026 Elsevier B.V. This is the author’s accepted manuscript made available under a CC-BY licence in accordance with Imperial’s Research Publications Open Access policy (www.imperial.ac.uk/oa-policy)
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Publication Status
Published
Article Number
176379
Date Publish Online
2026-04-18