Electric field–confined synthesis of single atomic TiOxCy electrocatalytic membranes

Abstract

Electrocatalysis exhibits certain benefits for water purification, but the low performance of electrodes severely hampers its utility. Here, we report a general strategy for fabricating high-performance three-dimensional (3D) porous electrodes with ultrahigh electrochemical active surface area and single-atom catalysts from earth-abundant elements. We demonstrate a binder-free dual electrospinning-electrospraying (DESP) strategy to densely distribute single atomic Ti and titanium oxycarbide (TiO_xC_y) sub–3-nm clusters throughout interconnected carbon nanofibers (CNs). The composite offers ultrahigh conductivity and mechanical robustness (ultrasonication resistant). The resulting TiO_xC_y filtration membrane exhibits record-high water purification capability with excellent permeability (~8370 liter m⁻² hour⁻¹ bar⁻¹), energy efficiency (e.g., >99% removal of toxins within 1.25 s at 0.022 kWh·m⁻³ per order), and erosion resistance. The hierarchical design of the TiO_xC_y membrane facilitates rapid and energy-efficient electrocatalysis through both direct electron transfer and indirect reactive oxygen species (¹O₂, ·OH, and O₂·⁻, etc.) oxidations. The electric field–confined DESP strategy provides a general platform for making high-performance 3D electrodes.