Electrocatalytic Membrane Containing CuFeO2/Nanoporous Carbon for Organic Dye Removal Application

Cu3(hexaamino triphenylhexane)2/reduced graphene oxide composites with boosting electron-transfer properties for acetaminophen electrocatalytic degradation

Electron-transfer properties, as great contributors for electrocatalytic oxidation on the anode, are crucial to pollution degradation. The strong relationship between electron-transfer properties and active species (such as radicals) generation of anode catalysts suggests a new strategy for pollution-degradation efficiency improvement. In this study, a novel composite of Cu3(hexaamino triphenylhexane)2 [Cu3(HITP)2] and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) was synthesized to construct electron-transfer pathways between the two layers. Benefiting from the connection formed through RGO-O-N-Cu, the electron transfer from RGO to Cu3(HITP)2 was accelerated. The resettled charge distribution led the C atoms in the RGO layer, and the Cu and C atoms in Cu3(HITP)2 layer acted as the main surface active sites. O2•-, 1O2, and reactive chlorine were then triggered to boost the degradation of acetaminophen. The source of O2•- and 1O2 was more likely from surface oxygen groups rather than dissolved O2. Overall, this research provided a perspective proof of conductive Cu3(HITP)2/RGO composite construction with 2D/2D structure for electrocatalytic-oxidation improvement.

Catalyst regulated interfacial synthesis of self-standing covalent organic framework membranes at room temperature for molecular separation

Covalent organic framework (COF) membranes have shown enormous potential for molecular separation due to their large surface areas and pre-designable structures. However, the mild and convenient preparation of COF membranes with high crystallinity has remained a significant challenge. In this work, we reported on a facile liquid-liquid interfacial polymerization method to fabricate self-standing imine-based COF membranes with excellent crystallinity and a tunable thickness at room temperature. Polymerization was confined at the immiscible organic solvent-water interface when the monomers in the dichloromethane met the catalyst aqueous solution. This unique design concept exploited the rapid formation of COF monolayers at the liquid-liquid interface to control catalyst diffusion and structural rearrangement, achieving high crystallinity of the COF membrane. Moreover, the thickness of the self-standing COF membranes could be regulated from 50 nm to 1 μm through the flexible regulation of the growth process. Benefiting from the large surface area of the COF membranes (378 m2/g) and the intensive π-π conjugate effect between the COFs and organic dyes, the obtained COF membranes exhibited high adsorption capacities toward Chrome Black T and Rose Bengal. This work may open a viable avenue to easily and mildly prepare COF membranes for water treatment.