All-in-one transparent cellulose-based composite membrane for simultaneous colorimetric detection and photocatalytic degradation of amine VOCs

• Published in: Separation and purification technology 2025-07, Vol.360, Article 130960
• Main Authors: Hou, Chen, Zou, Shengyang, Cheng, Daozhen, Gao, Junyi, Fu, Tao, Wang, Jianzhi, Wang, Yang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bifunctional composite membrane; Colorimetric detection; g-C3N4/COFTAPB-PDA heterojunction; Photocatalytic degradation; Volatile organic compounds
• ISSN: 1383-5866
• DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2024.130960

[Display omitted] •Bifunctional transparent cellulose film was designed dealing with VOCs pollutions.•g-C3N4/COFTAPB-PDA heterojunction has high surface area (1256.60 m2 g−1) as effective photocatalysts.•Embedded dye molecule is reversible colorimetric responsive and can act as photosensitizer.•Transparent cellulose film improves the availability of light for g-C3N4/COFTAPB-PDA catalyst inside.•Triethylamine can be quantitatively detected with a LOD of 0.32 ppm in 5 s and degraded by 97.3 % in 180 min. Developing high-performance multifunctional catalyst that adept at both sensitive detecting and efficient degrading of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is of significant importance for human and eco safety. This work presented a bifunctional nonmetal composite membrane by functionalizing transparent cellulose membrane with double responsive bromocresol green and catalytic g-C3N4/COFTAPB-PDA (CNC) heterojunctions for simultaneous detection and degradation of amine VOCs. Bromocresol green possesses both intrinsic visualized acid-base responsiveness and wide light adsorption range. Hierarchical CNC with high specific surface area (up to 1256.60 m2 g−1) can effectively promote the absorption and diffusion of substrates and the separation of photo-generated carriers. A flexible macroporous transparent cellulose membrane was applied as carrier to alleviate the “self-masking effect” of the catalyst inside to improve light utilization. As a result, the composite membrane showing a visually reversible color change from yellow to blue for amine VOCs and achieving rapid quantitative detection of representative triethylamine (detection time of 5 s with a LOD of 0.32 ppm) on the aid of a smart phone. The degradation and mineralization efficiency of triethylamine reached 97.3 % and 73.5 % within 180 min, respectively. The ingenious design of integrating bifunctional cellulose composite material provides feasibility for the rapid identification and efficient removal of VOCs.