Organic wastewater treatment by a single-atom catalyst and electrolytically produced H2O2

Jinwei Xu, Xueli Zheng, Zhiping Feng, Zhiyi Lu, Zewen Zhang, William Huang, Yanbin Li, Djordje Vuckovic, Yuanqing Li, Sheng Dai, Guangxu Chen, Kecheng Wang, Hansen Wang, James K. Chen, William Mitch and Yi Cui ()
Additional contact information
Jinwei Xu: Stanford University
Xueli Zheng: Stanford University
Zhiping Feng: Stanford University School of Medicine
Zhiyi Lu: Stanford University
Zewen Zhang: Stanford University
William Huang: Stanford University
Yanbin Li: Stanford University
Djordje Vuckovic: Stanford University
Yuanqing Li: Stanford University
Sheng Dai: University of California Irvine
Guangxu Chen: Stanford University
Kecheng Wang: Stanford University
Hansen Wang: Stanford University
James K. Chen: Stanford University School of Medicine
William Mitch: Stanford University
Yi Cui: Stanford University

Nature Sustainability, 2021, vol. 4, issue 3, 233-241

Abstract: Abstract The presence of organic contaminants in wastewater poses considerable risks to the health of both humans and ecosystems. Although advanced oxidation processes that rely on highly reactive radicals to destroy organic contaminants are appealing treatment options, substantial energy and chemical inputs limit their practical applications. Here we demonstrate that Cu single atoms incorporated in graphitic carbon nitride can catalytically activate H2O2 to generate hydroxyl radicals at pH 7.0 without energy input, and show robust stability within a filtration device. We further design an electrolysis reactor for the on-site generation of H2O2 from air, water and renewable energy. Coupling the single-atom catalytic filter and the H2O2 electrolytic generator in tandem delivers a wastewater treatment system. These findings provide a promising path toward reducing the energy and chemical demands of advanced oxidation processes, as well as enabling their implementation in remote areas and isolated communities.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41893-020-00635-w

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