Low-current-driven hydroxyl radical generation via cobalt phthalocyanine-functionalized CNT electrocatalytic membrane for efficient sulfamethoxazole degradation

Electrocatalytic membranes have demonstrated considerable potential for emerging contaminants (such as antibiotics) degradation in wastewater treatment, yet their practical application remains constrained by the inherent current-intensive of electrochemical processes. This study addresses this critical challenge through the development of a cobalt phthalocyanine-functionalized carbon nanotube electrocatalytic membrane (EM CoPc@CNT ) featuring atomic-level dispersion of Co species on the CNT support. The single-atom Co sites in EM CoPc@CNT exhibit a unique electronic structure characterized by elevated electron density and enhanced electron delocalization. This electronic configuration effectively reduces the energy barrier for *H 2 O 2 formation while rendering the subsequent conversion to *OH radicals thermodynamically favorable. Consequently, EM CoPc@CNT sustains ·OH generation and achieves over 95% sulfamethoxazole (SMX) degradation efficiency even at low current density (0.15 mA/cm 2 ), a regime where conventional electrocatalytic membranes exhibit negligible activity. These results overcome the longstanding current-density dependence of electrocatalytic membranes, providing support for their practical implementation.