MOFs-derived Cu/Carbon membrane as bi-functional catalyst: Improving catalytic activity in detection and degradation of PFOA via regulation of reactive Cu species

• Published in: Chemical engineering journal (Lausanne, Switzerland : 1996) Switzerland : 1996), 2024-02, Vol.481, p.148467, Article 148467
• Main Authors: Hou, Chen, Chen, Fang, Cheng, Daozhen, Zou, Shengyang, Wang, Jianzhi, Shen, Mengxia, Wang, Yang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Colorimetric detection; Dual-functional catalyst; MOFs derived Cu/C nanocompsite; Perfluorooctanoic acid; Photo-electro-Fenton
• ISSN: 1385-8947; 1873-3212
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2023.148467

[Display omitted] •Cu-MOFs derived CNF/Cu-C dual-functional membrane catalyst was synthesized.•Simultaneously efficient visual detection and SPEF degradation of PFOA are proposed.•PFOA inhibited peroxidase-like activity of CNF/Cu-C by hindering Cu active sites.•Enhanced degradation and mineralization efficiency of PFOA via SPEF are achieved.•States of active Cu species is regulated for enhanced photo-electric property. Developing bi-functional materials to simultaneously detect and degrade persistent pollutant perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is of significant importance for environmental and human health. In this study, a copper-based mimic enzyme colorimetric detecting sensor coupling with solar photo-electro-Fenton degradation (SPEF) system was built based on Cu/carbon nanofiber (CNF-Cu/C) membrane. Self-supporting flexible CNF-Cu/C membrane was successfully prepared by solvothermal method with further secondary seed growth and in-situ thermal reduction. Based on calcination temperature regulation, the obtained CNF-Cu/C membrane derived from MOFs/polyacrylonitrile (HKUST/PAN) membrane was characterized by 3D carbon fiber network dispersed with porous carbon skeleton embedded copper species, which exhibited good dispersibility, cycling stability and excellent electrical conductivity. With excellent peroxidase-like activity, CNF-Cu/C can rapidly detect PFOA based on the inhibition of color reaction of tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) with detection limit of 0.133 μM. Furthermore, CNF-Cu/C also exhibited outstanding optical properties and oxygen redox reaction (ORR) activity, and the removal efficiency of PFOA in Cu-SPEF system reached 98.22 % within 180 min under optimal conditions. Based on the results of free radical quenching experiment, EPR experiment and HPLC-MS experiments, the degradation mechanism and degradation path of PFOA by SPEF system were further speculated.