Integration of in situ Fenton-like self-cleaning and photothermal membrane distillation for wastewater treatment via Co-MoS2/CNT catalytic membrane

Abstract

Intensive energy dependence and membrane fouling are the inherent limitations of membrane distillation (MD) process for the application. Solar energy is promising sustainable energy for both alleviating the energy shortage and activating the Fenton-like reaction for various pollutants degradation. By in situ integrating Fenton-like and photothermal MD processes, the restriction of energy dependence and membrane fouling on the MD process might be effectively liberated. In this study, Co-MoS2/CNT was introduced to PTFE membrane modification through vacuum filtration, which simultaneously endowed the membrane with optothermal effect and Fenton-like activation abilities. The membrane was evaluated in a dye wastewater treatment under the irradiation of 1 kW/m2 light density. Results showed that the degradation degree of RhB can reach 80 % within 1 h on the feed side, while the permeate flux maintains at 2.43 kg/(m2·h) with an initial feed temperature of 35 °C. In addition, the flux of the Co-MoS2/CNT/PTFE membrane can be maintained above 95 % after three fouling-cleaning cycles, indicating that the modified membrane has a good self-cleaning performance. This work provides a low carbon option which improving mass transfer effect and fouling control ability for dye wastewater treatment by MD using solar energy.