Functionalized membrane assembled by iron-based two-dimensional Fenton-like catalyst for ultra-efficient water decontamination: Mechanism and application insights

The design of functionalized membrane-coupled Fenton-like catalysis processes is pivotal for wastewater treatment, providing a promising strategy to enhance peroxide activation and degrade organic contaminants. Herein, a functionalized membrane based on Fe₃O₄ nanosheets (Fe₃O₄ NS) was designed, featuring a densely stacked structure with highly exposed reactive sites, creating an optimal environment for efficient Fenton-like catalysis. The Fe₃O₄ NS membrane achieved nearly complete degradation of target contaminants at a flux of 289.97 L·m⁻²·h⁻¹, with a pseudo-first-order rate constant of 0.021 ms⁻¹ for Fenton-like catalysis, surpassing previously reported Fenton-like catalytic membrane systems by 6–17 times. Detailed mechanistic experiments and theoretical calculations elucidated the efficient activation of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) by the Fe₃O₄ NS membrane from both thermodynamic and kinetic perspectives. Notably, the Fe₃O₄ NS membrane/H₂O₂ system significantly reduced the toxicity of target contaminants and their degradation intermediates toward activated sludge, thereby alleviating the subsequent biochemical treatment burden. Moreover, it demonstrated potential for treating actual secondary effluent. The findings of this study advance the design of sustainable and efficient water purification strategies, offering a viable approach to overcoming the technical limitations of traditional Fenton-like catalysis.