Today, the escalating contamination of water sources with phytotoxins poses a significant danger to both ecosystems and human health. Consequently, the implementation of advanced and sustainable remediation technologies becomes imperative for the effective removal of toxins. This study introduces a pioneering method for continuous phytotoxin remediation by integrating a photoelectrocatalytic membrane reactor, which utilizes a ZnCdFeSe heterojunction photocatalyst with a double S-scheme, is derived from the ZnCd prussian blue analog. This design capitalizes on the unique electronic structure and synergistic effects of the catalyst enabling efficient photo-electrocatalysis in the device. The proposed system attains an impressive phytotoxin rejection efficiency of 98.39%, accompanied by enhanced membrane permeation and anti-fouling performance. The obtained results are noteworthy for an emerging process that combines the simultaneous degradation and separation of toxic species, enabling prolonged and uninterrupted remediation processes. Experimental and density function theory (DFT) results demonstrate that, under optimal conditions, the well-stabilized double S-scheme ZnCdFeSe heterojunction achieves a mineralization rate of 85.67%. Even after six cycles of the photocatalytic membrane, the removal rate of ricin remains high at 78.96%, indicating the membrane’s commendable reusability and stability. This research not only contributes to the advancement of innovative environmental remediation strategies but also provides valuable insights for designing and optimizing photoelectrocatalytic systems for the persistent removal of toxins in water treatment applications.
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