Biomimetic nanoconfined catalytic ozonation membranes with abundant and robust V-shaped nanopores for rapid pollutant degradation

Catalytic separation membranes have emerged as promising materials for pollutant degradation and water treatment, yet their performance is often hindered by challenges such as structural instability, limited catalytic efficiency, low utilization of active sites and species, and insufficient water flux. Here, we present a biomimetic design strategy to construct high-performance nanoconfined catalytic ozonation membranes using MnO₂ as a platform. Inspired by the structural features of Echeveria and pitcher plants, we engineered a radial flower-shaped FeCo@MnO₂ membrane with V-shaped nanochannels (average size: 10.44 nm) via a one-step hydrothermal and doping process. This design achieves an exceptionally high catalytic specific surface area (110.0647 m²/g) and robust structural stability, enabling the efficient utilisation of catalytic sites and active species via the capture and concentration of pollutant molecules within the nanoconfinement. Lattice doping with Fe and Co enhances electron transfer and introduces multiple oxygen vacancies, facilitating the generation of highly oxidizing singlet oxygen (¹O₂). In a catalytic ozonation system, the membrane demonstrated near-complete removal (∼100 %) of diverse water contaminants (50 ppm) with a high reaction rate constant (0.1199 ms⁻¹), a retention time of < 25 ms, and superior water treatment capacity (50 L·m⁻²·h⁻¹·bar⁻¹). This work provides a novel and effective approach for designing nanocatalytic membranes with abundant active sites and efficient active species utilization, offering significant potential for advancing high-performance membrane materials in diverse catalytic applications.