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Decoupled oxidation process enabled by atomically dispersed copper electrodes for in-situ chemical water treatment

Author

Listed:
  • Ziwei Yu

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Xuming Jin

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Yang Guo

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Qian Liu

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Wenyu Xiang

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Shuai Zhou

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Jiaying Wang

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Dailin Yang

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Hao Bin Wu

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Juan Wang

    (Zhejiang University)

Abstract

In-situ wastewater treatment has gained popularity due to cost and energy savings tailored to water sources and user needs. However, this treatment, particularly through advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), poses ecological risks due to the need for strong oxidizing agents. Here, we present a decoupled oxidation process (DOP) using single-atom copper-modified graphite felt electrodes. This process creates a positive potential difference (ΔE ~ 0.5 V) between spatially isolated oxidants and organics and drives electron transfer-based redox reactions. The approach avoids the drawbacks of conventional AOPs, while being capable of treating various recalcitrant electron-rich organics. A floating water treatment device designed based on the DOP approach can degrade organic molecules in large bodies of water with oxidants stored separately in the device. We demonstrate that over 200 L of contaminated water can be treated with a floating device containing only 40 mL of oxidant (10 mM peroxysulphate). The modular device can be used in tandem structures on demand, maximizing water remediation per unit area. Our result provides a promising, eco-friendly method for in-situ water treatment that is unattainable with existing techniques.

Suggested Citation

  • Ziwei Yu & Xuming Jin & Yang Guo & Qian Liu & Wenyu Xiang & Shuai Zhou & Jiaying Wang & Dailin Yang & Hao Bin Wu & Juan Wang, 2024. "Decoupled oxidation process enabled by atomically dispersed copper electrodes for in-situ chemical water treatment," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-10, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-45481-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45481-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xu Li & Xavier Isidro Pereira-Hernández & Yizhen Chen & Jia Xu & Jiankang Zhao & Chih-Wen Pao & Chia-Yu Fang & Jie Zeng & Yong Wang & Bruce C. Gates & Jingyue Liu, 2022. "Functional CeOx nanoglues for robust atomically dispersed catalysts," Nature, Nature, vol. 611(7935), pages 284-288, November.
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    1. Yan Meng & Yu-Qin Liu & Chao Wang & Yang Si & Yun-Jie Wang & Wen-Qi Xia & Tian Liu & Xu Cao & Zhi-Yan Guo & Jie-Jie Chen & Wen-Wei Li, 2024. "Nanoconfinement steers nonradical pathway transition in single atom fenton-like catalysis for improving oxidant utilization," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Jian-Hua Chen & Wan-Ting Li & Kun-Yu Cai & Hui-Jie Tu & Zi-Tong Long & Shoaib Akhtar & Lin-Dong Liu, 2025. "Proton-coupled electron transfer controls peroxide activation initiated by a solid-water interface," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.

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