Separation and Purification Technology最新文献

{"title":"Ion exchange mechanism of Na-modified attapulgite for the recovery of trace Rb(I)","authors":"Na Guo ,&nbsp;Huanhuan Song ,&nbsp;Weiquan Zhan ,&nbsp;Tianxing Chen ,&nbsp;Jianbo Li ,&nbsp;Shaoxian Song ,&nbsp;Michael Badawi","doi":"10.1016/j.seppur.2026.137184","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seppur.2026.137184","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Rubidium (Rb) is a strategic alkali metal with increasing industrial demand and limited natural availability, making its efficient recovery from dilute aqueous systems increasingly important. In this study, Na-modified attapulgite (Na-APT), a low-cost and naturally abundant clay-based adsorbent, was developed for the rapid capture of trace Rb(I). While Na modification preserves the intrinsic crystal structure of APT, it introduces abundant exchangeable Na⁺ sites that significantly accelerate mass transfer. Remarkably, Na-APT exhibits ultrafast kinetics, reaching equilibrium within seconds, and achieves nearly quantitative Rb(I) recovery at trace-level concentrations under near-neutral conditions. Kinetic analyses indicate that the process is governed by external film diffusion, with Na⁺ modification effectively minimizing interfacial mass-transfer resistance. Despite a modest Langmuir adsorption capacity, Na-APT demonstrates exceptional efficiency for trace Rb(I) recovery even in complex matrices, achieving nearly complete removal from real salt-lake brine. Combined with excellent regeneration stability and low material cost, Na-APT offers a pragmatic and sustainable solution for large-scale Rb recovery from natural waters where rapid kinetics and cost-effectiveness are prioritized over high adsorption capacity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":427,"journal":{"name":"Separation and Purification Technology","volume":"392 ","pages":"Article 137184"},"PeriodicalIF":9.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146172302","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Chitosan aerogel beads embedded with CoFe layered double hydroxide for peroxymonosulfate activation","authors":"Wenjun Zeng ,&nbsp;Yidan Luo ,&nbsp;Shujuan He ,&nbsp;Huiyin Ye ,&nbsp;Yueyang Xiao ,&nbsp;Shuohan Yu ,&nbsp;Yu Xie ,&nbsp;Mingshan Xue ,&nbsp;Zuozhu Yin ,&nbsp;Zugen Liu ,&nbsp;Bin Gao","doi":"10.1016/j.seppur.2026.137149","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seppur.2026.137149","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In the development of efficient catalysts for antibiotic degradation, catalyst recovery has long been a major challenge. Immobilizing advanced oxidation catalysts within porous biopolymer supports such as chitosan beads can effectively address this issue, but their cyclic stability remains a key focus of research. In this study, a novel chitosan aerogel microsphere embedded with cobalt‑iron layered double hydroxide (CS/CoFe LDH) was synthesized to efficiently activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) to degrade tetracycline (TC). The CS/CoFe LDH aerogel microspheres constructed a three-dimensional porous network and contained abundant functional groups, thereby enhancing TC removal and facilitating catalyst recovery. Under optimal conditions, the CS/CoFe/PMS system achieved near-complete degradation of TC. The catalyst maintained high activity at pH 3–11 and in real water environments, with TC removal efficiency remaining above 82% even after five reuse cycles.</div><div>Mechanistic investigations revealed that TC degradation was predominantly governed by a non-radical oxidation pathway, with superoxide radicals (<strong>·O</strong>_{<strong>2</strong>}⁻) playing an auxiliary role, while hydroxyl radicals (<strong>·OH</strong>) and sulfate radicals (<strong>·SO</strong>_{<strong>4</strong>}⁻) contributed to a lesser extent, indicating the coexistence of multiple oxidative pathways. The surface redox cycling of Co²⁺/Co³⁺ and Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ was identified as the key mechanism for continuous PMS activation. Combined with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and density functional theory (DFT) analysis, key intermediate products were identified, and degradation pathways involving demethylation, hydroxylation, ring cleavage, etc., were proposed. Toxicity predictions indicated that these intermediates were generally less harmful than TC, confirming the safety of the mineralization process. This work provides valuable mechanistic insights and demonstrates the application potential of aerogel-encapsulated LDH catalysts for water remediation and antibiotic removal.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":427,"journal":{"name":"Separation and Purification Technology","volume":"392 ","pages":"Article 137149"},"PeriodicalIF":9.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146115826","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Carbon-based catalysts for CO2 hydrogenation to C1 products: mechanisms, materials, and prospects","authors":"Han Yan ,&nbsp;Zejin Zhao ,&nbsp;Rui Han ,&nbsp;Lifei Wei ,&nbsp;Gaoqi Han ,&nbsp;Yuhan Ba ,&nbsp;Chunfeng Song ,&nbsp;Qingling Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.seppur.2026.137175","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seppur.2026.137175","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Carbon-based catalysts have received much attention in the field of catalysis due to their excellent electrical conductivity, high specific surface area, good chemical stability, and thermal conductivity, particularly for CO₂ conversion. Carbon materials as catalyst supports enhance CO₂ hydrogenation by leveraging their excellent electrical/thermal conductivity to facilitate electron transfer and heat dispersion. At the same time, their high specific surface area and porous structure provide abundant active sites. They also maintain stable mechanical properties under harsh conditions, synergistically boosting conversion efficiency and product selectivity. This review examines the use of carbon materials as catalytic supports for the thermal hydrogenation of CO₂ to C1 products. Initially, we elucidate the mechanism by which carbon-based support promotes the CO₂ hydrogenation reaction. Subsequently, the synthesis method of various carbon-based catalyst composites designed for the thermal hydrogenation of CO₂ was summarised. Furthermore, we provide a comprehensive comparison of the catalytic activity and selectivity of carbon-supported catalysts, offering insights into how different dimensions of carbon-based carriers influence the catalytic performance toward the production of methane, methanol, formic acid, and carbon monoxide. Lastly, the paper highlights the current challenges and prospective research directions for the research of carbon-based catalysts in CO₂ conversion reactions, paving the way for innovative strategies to address global carbon neutrality and sustainable energy conversion through advanced CO₂ utilisation technologies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":427,"journal":{"name":"Separation and Purification Technology","volume":"392 ","pages":"Article 137175"},"PeriodicalIF":9.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146135522","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Deciphering the multistage mechanistic landscape of COS removal by tertiary amines through combined experiments and molecular descriptors","authors":"Bin Zhao ,&nbsp;Bo Zhou ,&nbsp;Peidong Zuo ,&nbsp;Liping Chang ,&nbsp;Mengmeng Wu ,&nbsp;Chao Yang ,&nbsp;Xu Wu ,&nbsp;Zhifeng Qin","doi":"10.1016/j.seppur.2026.137139","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seppur.2026.137139","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Despite their broad use in acid gas treatment, the Carbonyl sulfide (COS) absorption–hydrolysis–desorption behavior of tertiary amines remains unclear. We systematically investigated ten tertiary amines through performance evaluation and descriptor analysis to resolve their stage specific mechanisms. The results reveal pronounced performance heterogeneity among the tertiary amines, with COS absorption capacities of 0.45–0.80 g/L, hydrolysis conversions of 30–90%, and desorption efficiencies of 10–80%, delineating two characteristic behavioral patterns: high uptake coupled with poor desorption and moderate uptake accompanied by strong desorption. Among all candidates, 3-(Dimethylamino)-1,2-propanediol (DMAPD) and N-Methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) exhibit the highest cyclic stability, showing negligible sulfur accumulation and only 5–10% amine loss over five cycles. Their initial association with COS is found to be governed predominantly by weak van der Waals interactions. The constructed molecular descriptor framework synthesizes stage specific performance metrics with electronic, steric, and solvent-related characteristics. It demonstrates that COS absorption is most closely tied to solvent effects, particularly pKa, <span><math><msubsup><mi>log</mi><mn>10</mn><mrow><mi>x</mi><mfenced><mi>sol</mi></mfenced></mrow></msubsup></math></span>, and ln(γ); in contrast, hydrolysis shows a stronger association with electronic factors together with structural accessibility; and for desorption, the dominant statistical signals shift back to <span><math><msubsup><mi>log</mi><mn>10</mn><mrow><mi>x</mi><mfenced><mi>sol</mi></mfenced></mrow></msubsup></math></span>, and ln(γ), while pKa remains a secondary correlate. Overall, the COS removal process is governed sequentially by solvation control, electronic activation, and solvation weakening. This progression provides a coherent design framework for tertiary amines: tuning solvation during absorption, enhancing electronic and structural features during hydrolysis, and attenuating solvation stabilization during desorption, thereby improving uptake efficiency while reducing desorption energy demand.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":427,"journal":{"name":"Separation and Purification Technology","volume":"392 ","pages":"Article 137139"},"PeriodicalIF":9.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146110897","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Strategic gradient Zn incorporation into PdZrO2 to engineer Pd-Zn-Zr interfaces: Exploring the synergism between PdZn alloy and ZnZrOx in shaping plasma-catalytic CO2 hydrogenation routes","authors":"Boqiong Jiang ,&nbsp;Jingying Chen ,&nbsp;Zhengxuan Wu ,&nbsp;Haoyu Yang ,&nbsp;Jingyi Han ,&nbsp;Yi Zhang ,&nbsp;Ting Wang ,&nbsp;Shaocai Yu ,&nbsp;Yuhai Sun","doi":"10.1016/j.seppur.2026.137231","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seppur.2026.137231","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A systematic investigation was conducted on a series of PdZn_αZrO_x catalysts with precisely tuned Zn concentration gradients (α = 0.1–0.9) for plasma-catalytic CO₂ hydrogenation. PdZn_0.3ZrO_x exhibited the highest CO₂ conversion of 51.5%, while PdZn_0.7ZrO_x achieved a maximum CO yield of 45.4% with a selectivity exceeding 95%. These performances were attained even under a high H₂/CO₂ molar ratio of 3:1, a condition typically favoring methanation. Characterizations revealed that the synergy between the PdZn alloy and ZnZrO_x was pivotal in dictating the reaction pathways. The PdZn alloy enhanced the Pd<img>Zr interaction, generating abundant oxygen vacancies (O_v) that effectively activated CO₂ to form bi-CO₃²⁻. This intermediate preferred hydrogenation to bi-HCOO⁻, which would subsequently decompose into CO^⁎ or hydrogenate into CH₄. The PdZn alloy weakened the adsorption strength of CO^⁎, promoting its desorption and thereby increasing CO selectivity. When α &gt; 0.3, excessive Zn interacted with Zr to form ZnZrO_x. This phase not only prevented excessive Zn from aggregating into ZnO that could cover O_v but also stabilized hydrogen spillover species from ZrO₂, suppressing the hydrogenation of bi-HCOO⁻ to CH₄ and steering the reaction towards CO production. By harnessing this synergistic effect, the PdZn_αZrO_x catalysts achieved over 40% CO₂ conversion with CO as the predominant product, presenting a novel plasma-catalytic strategy to overcome the traditional activity-selectivity trade-off in reverse water-gas shift reactions for CO₂ utilization.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":427,"journal":{"name":"Separation and Purification Technology","volume":"392 ","pages":"Article 137231"},"PeriodicalIF":9.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146153686","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Titanium ion sieves utilize flow electrode capacitive deionization technology to achieve efficient lithium extraction","authors":"Zhaoyang Song ,&nbsp;Xuewen Wu ,&nbsp;Qiongqiong He ,&nbsp;Junhan Huyan ,&nbsp;Ruize Gao ,&nbsp;Xiaoqi Wu ,&nbsp;Zhenyong Miao","doi":"10.1016/j.seppur.2026.137065","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seppur.2026.137065","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Lithium (Li) is an indispensable strategic resource for modern societal development. The advancement of efficient and synergistic lithium ion (Li⁺) extraction and separation technologies is of major strategic importance. This study employed flow-electrode capacitive deionization (FCDI) to enhance the Li⁺ adsorption performance of titanium ion sieve (HTO-650) for the first time. In alkaline solution, the electroadsorption behavior of HTO-650 was primarily governed by the capacitive deionization (CDI) effect, achieving an electroadsorption amount of 62.54 mg/g, which is 2.08 times that of static adsorption. Electrodialysis (ED) achieved preliminary separation of Li⁺/Na⁺ with a selectivity of 1.47, while subsequent CDI enhanced the selectivity to 5.00, enabling a two-stage separation process. The FCDI can be decoupled into two sub-processes: CDI and ED. During FCDI, Li⁺ migrates from the feed solution to the cathodic flow electrode (CFE) driven by ED, and is subsequently adsorbed into HTO-650 by CDI. A decrease in Li⁺ amount within the CFE (by 6.46 mg) indicated the predominance of the CDI effect, demonstrating the excellent electroadsorption performance of HTO-650 in the FCDI. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that under an electric field, Li⁺ undergoes rapid dehydration, Li⁺/H⁺ exchange, and diffusion into the interlayers of HTO-650, resulting in a significant increase in its diffusion coefficient from 3.52 to 249 Å/ps. This integrated technology remarkably improves Li⁺ adsorption amount and provides a theoretical foundation for efficient Li⁺ separation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":427,"journal":{"name":"Separation and Purification Technology","volume":"392 ","pages":"Article 137065"},"PeriodicalIF":9.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146172230","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Machine learning-driven doping optimization: Enhancing structural stability of Mn-based ion sieves for Lithium extraction from brine","authors":"Zhiai Huang ,&nbsp;Luri Bao ,&nbsp;Xiaorong Qu ,&nbsp;Ting Wei ,&nbsp;Shu-Ying Sun","doi":"10.1016/j.seppur.2026.137214","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seppur.2026.137214","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Manganese-based adsorbents are a key technology for lithium extraction from salt-lake brines, but they suffer from Mn dissolution. Conventional dopant screening relies on trial-and-error methods, which are both time-consuming and costly. Here, we develop a machine learning (ML) model to predict the effects of 16 metallic dopants on Li_1.6Mn_1.6O₄ adsorbents. To integrate literature data with our laboratory dataset, we employed the ComBat method to correct for batch effects, thereby enabling robust predictions based on limited data. SHAP analysis reveals that electronegativity (En), dopant loading (ratio), and melting point (m.p.) are the key features governing Mn dissolution. Experiments confirmed that Sr and Nd doping reduced the Mn dissolution rate to 1.27% and 1.03%, respectively, and the modified adsorbent maintained excellent cycling stability after 6 cycles. This data-driven workflow accelerates the screening of dopants and provides actionable guidance for mitigating Mn dissolution issues</div></div>","PeriodicalId":427,"journal":{"name":"Separation and Purification Technology","volume":"392 ","pages":"Article 137214"},"PeriodicalIF":9.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146172494","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Construction of long-lived Ti/TiN/RuO2/PbO2 anode with a heterogeneous interlayer for efficient electro-oxidative degradation of metformin","authors":"Changbin Tang ,&nbsp;Shihua Wang ,&nbsp;Wei Li ,&nbsp;Zhigang Li ,&nbsp;Lihua Yu ,&nbsp;Juanqin Xue ,&nbsp;Xiangyang Yin ,&nbsp;Nan Zheng","doi":"10.1016/j.seppur.2026.137218","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seppur.2026.137218","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To obtain long-lived titanium-based lead dioxide coating anodes for efficient electro-oxidative degradation of the emerging aquatic pollutant metformin (MET), Ti/TiN/RuO₂/PbO₂ anodes were fabricated by introducing a composite interlayer through loading a small amount of RuO₂ onto an arc-sprayed TiN surface. Comparative analyses of the structure, electrochemical performance, and stability of anodes with different RuO₂ loadings were conducted, followed by optimization of MET electro-oxidative degradation parameters and analysis of the underlying mechanisms. The fabricated Ti/TiN/RuO₂/PbO₂ anodes with a heterointerfacial structure exhibited excellent stability and a long service life (current density: 1 A/cm², 579 h), which was almost twice that of the Ti/TiN/PbO₂ anode and 16.1-fold higher than the Ti/PbO₂ anode without an interlayer. Most importantly, the Ti/TiN/RuO₂/PbO₂ anode effectively removed MET, achieving 72% electro-oxidative degradation of 300 mg/L MET within 3 h under optimal degradation conditions (temperature: 30 °C, pH 7, current density: 40 mA/cm²). The degradation rate was further enhanced to 77% in medium containing 7 mmol/L Cl⁻, indicating the anode's compatibility with Cl⁻ ions. Furthermore, electrochemical testing, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, and quenching experiments confirmed that highly reactive non-radical singlet oxygen (¹O₂) played a primary role in MET degradation. Superoxide radicals (O₂·⁻) and direct oxidation made secondary contributions, but involvement of hydroxyl radicals (HO<img>) was negligible. The developed long-lasting, highly efficient anode has promise for electro-oxidative water treatment, and may facilitate degradative removal of MET and other pollutants.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":427,"journal":{"name":"Separation and Purification Technology","volume":"392 ","pages":"Article 137218"},"PeriodicalIF":9.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146172557","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"One-step hydrothermal synthesis of Zn/Co MOF for efficiently activating PMS to degrade organic pollutants in water: The reaction kinetics and mechanism","authors":"Ming Zhang ,&nbsp;Jiacheng Li ,&nbsp;Lijun Wu ,&nbsp;Tian Liang ,&nbsp;Jian Liu ,&nbsp;Lu Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.seppur.2026.137127","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seppur.2026.137127","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Acetamiprid (ACE) can accumulate in the environment through the food chain, potentially endanger human health. In this experiment, zinc‑cobalt bimetallic metal organic framework (Zn/Co MOF) was synthesized and used to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for the removal of ACE from water. The degradation efficiency of ACE could achieve approximately 96.93% after 90 min. Through the synergistic effect of Zn and Co bimetallic sites, ACE was degraded via a Fenton-like reaction, while reactive oxygen species (SO₄^·-, ·OH, O₂^·-, and ¹O₂) participated in the process. The high catalytic activity of Zn/Co MOF led to the degradation of ACE through the formation of a series of low-toxicity intermediates, and partial mineralization to CO₂ and H₂O. In addition, Zn/Co MOF remained effective under broad pH conditions (pH 5–11) and temperatures (5–45 °C). This system had excellent degradation effects in actual water, with degradation rates of 95.42% and 95.18% after 90 min in the Pai River and Liren Lake, respectively. With its high catalytic performance, the Zn/Co MOF is expected to become an ideal catalyst that could be used to remove pesticide residues in water.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":427,"journal":{"name":"Separation and Purification Technology","volume":"392 ","pages":"Article 137127"},"PeriodicalIF":9.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146135564","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Boosting photothermal mineralization of toluene by Fe2O3/Co3O4 p-n heterojunctions: Accelerating activation of oxygen species through interfacial coupling effect","authors":"Yi Liu ,&nbsp;Guangmei Gan ,&nbsp;Juyuan Xing,&nbsp;Junting Wang,&nbsp;Yuan Li,&nbsp;Gaoke Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.seppur.2026.137166","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seppur.2026.137166","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The effective activation of oxygen species through the interface coupling effect of catalysts to achieve photothermal toluene mineralization remains a major challenge. Herein, a p-n heterojunction catalyst composed of Co₃O₄ and Fe₂O₃ with strong interfacial coupling effect was rationally synthesized to overcome the intrinsic limitations, thereby achieving efficient photothermal mineralization of toluene. Under full-spectrum irradiation (350 mW/cm²), the Fe₂O₃/Co₃O₄ (0.15-FCO) p-n heterojunction achieved a toluene conversion rate of 99.72% and a CO₂ yield of 87.94%, outperforming individual oxides. Comprehensive structural analysis show that the heterojunction formation elongated and weakened the Co<img>O bond induced by Fe₂O₃, thereby exposing Co³⁺ sites and promoting the generation of oxygen vacancies. Benefiting from interfacial coupling effect triggered by electronic modulation, 0.15-FCO enhances the adsorption and activation of O₂ and toluene as further corroborated by DFT calculations. Besides, the appropriate band potentials of the p-n heterojunction facilitated charge carrier migration and activation of molecular oxygen. The results of in-situ DRIFTS further demonstrate that the incorporation of Fe₂O₃ promotes the oxidative conversion of intermediates on Co₃O₄ through interfacial charge transfer and sustaining active oxygen species generation. Overall, this study highlights that strengthening interfacial coupling in oxide materials is a viable strategy for efficient photothermal VOCs oxidation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":427,"journal":{"name":"Separation and Purification Technology","volume":"392 ","pages":"Article 137166"},"PeriodicalIF":9.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146135573","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}