Monolithic Ceramic CoTiO3/TiO2 Membrane Balancing Catalytic Efficiency and Durability in Advanced Oxidation Processes

Abstract

Membrane-based advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have shown great promise in degrading persistent organic pollutants in wastewater. However, their long-term application is often limited by the trade-off between catalytic efficiency and durability. In this study, we present a stable monolithic ceramic membrane integrating a CoTiO₃/TiO₂ interface that successfully overcomes this trade-off. The CoTiO₃/TiO₂ interface enhances peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation while preventing Co²⁺ leaching, ensuring both high catalytic efficiency and structural integrity under reactive conditions. Finite element analysis suggests that the optimized distribution of the catalyst across our membrane regulates PMS utilization and minimizes the corrosive effects of radicals, extending the membrane’s lifespan. The synthesized membrane demonstrated exceptional catalytic performance and stability, achieving fast bisphenol A removal (up to 99% within 25 s of reaction time) and maintaining structural integrity during 120 h of prolonged exposure to reactive PMS environments. This membrane design not only overcomes efficiency and durability but also offers a scalable solution for advanced water treatment applications.