The single atom Fe loaded catalytic membrane for effective peroxymonosulfate activation and pollution degradation

A novel iron-based single-atom catalyst (Fe SAC) integrated into a catalytic membrane was developed for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation and organic pollutant degradation. The Fe SAC membrane was synthesized using a co-precipitation method and acid leaching treatment, and its catalytic activity was evaluated in a continuous flow-through system using nitenpyram (NPR) as a model pollutant. The Fe SAC membrane/PMS system achieved over 90% NPR removal efficiency with low iron leaching (2.85–8.05 μg/L) during 10 hours of continuous operation, and maintained over 80% NPR removal in tap water, Yellow River water, and Yangtze River water. Experimental and theoretical analyses revealed that the strong chemisorption and electron transfer between PMS and FeN4 led to the dominant production of singlet oxygen for NPR degradation. This study demonstrates the potential of SAC-based catalytic membranes for efficient and stable attenuation of refractory organic pollutants in water treatment applications.