Highly efficient activation of peroxymonosulfate by novel CuO-Chrysotile catalytic membrane for degradation of p-nitrophenol

A novel CuO-Chrysotile thin membrane catalyst was prepared by simple impregnation-calcination route, which provided new insights of catalytic membranes by natural mineral fiber for the degradation of organic contaminants in wastewater treatment. Through intermittent and continuous catalytic degradation experiments, peroxymonosulfate (PMS) was efficiently activated by the membrane to degrade p-nitrophenol (PNP), and the effects of experimental parameters (including initial solution pH value, PMS dosage, catalyst dosage, reaction temperature, membrane mass and flow rate) on PNP degradation were systematically studied. The results showed that the catalytic membrane had great catalytic performance and long-term stability, it could completely degrade 10 mg/L of PNP within 60 min and its degradation ratio could remain above 90 % after 5 cycles. Meanwhile, it was worth noting that 0.15 g of CuO-Chrysotile catalytic membrane used as fixed bed could continuously degrade 12.5 L of PNP solution with gratifying performance, which proved that the catalytic membrane had convenient use method and great application effect. The mechanism study found that 1O2 produced in this process played a key role in the degradation of PNP. From the aspects of manufacturing cost, catalytic performance and service life, the novel CuO-Chrysotile catalytic membrane has excellent industrial application potential.