Ultra-low power light driven lycopodium-like nanofiber membrane reinforced by PET braid tube with robust pollutants removal and regeneration capacity based on photo-Fenton catalysis

Membrane separation is regarded as one of the most effective strategies for treating complex wastewater systems for environmental remediation. However, frequent membrane fouling has severely limited its widespread application. Herein, a nanofiber membrane composed of beta-FeOOH nanorods and electrospun Poly (m-phenyl-eneisophalamide) (PMIA) nanofibers on polyester braid tube substrate was fabricated by electrospinning and in situ synthesis. The study focuses on the photo-Fenton catalytic performance under ultra-low power LED illumination. The PMIA/beta-FeOOH nanofiber membrane presents excellent catalytic capacity for removing dyes, antibiotics and hazardous Cr (VI) (the maximum removal efficiency up to similar to 99.9 %). In virtue of high porosity and interconnected channel structure, the reinforced membrane exhibits a superior permeation ability (similar to 3000 L.m(-2).h(-1)) and outstanding oil-water separation efficiency (similar to 99 %). More importantly, it can simply achieve highly efficient self-cleaning and membrane regeneration by ultra-low power LED driven photo-Fenton catalysis. The versatile PMIA/beta-FeOOH nanofiber membrane exhibits an excellent and stable photo-Fenton catalytic capacity as well as superhydrophilicity/underwater superoleophobicity under ultra-low power visible-light irradiation. This revolutionary ultra-low power driven photocatalytic membrane provides a new approach responding to complicated wastewater purification.

Automated summary

Membrane separation is an effective strategy for treating complex wastewater systems, but membrane fouling limits its application. In this study, a nanofiber membrane was fabricated with excellent catalytic capacity and permeation ability. It can achieve self-cleaning and membrane regeneration through ultra-low power LED-driven photo-Fenton catalysis.