Water Purification Performance Research Articles

Esterified Chlorine-Resistant Nanofiltration Membranes with Enhanced Removal of Disinfection Byproducts for Efficient Water Purification.

The permeance-selectivity trade-off and chlorine sensitivity of conventional polyamide membranes limit further efficiency improvement and cost reduction of nanofiltration (NF) processes for drinking water treatment. To overcome these challenges, this study proposed a reconstruction-esterification strategy for the development of advanced NF membranes. Results showed that the combination of Na3PO4 solution post-treatment and polyol molecule grafting generated a thinner active layer with smaller and more uniform pores. More importantly, the critical role of alkaline post-treatment in reducing the residual amine groups of polyamide layers was revealed, which enhanced the chlorine resistance of membranes jointly with the effect of surface esterification. In comparison with the surface water purification performance of several commercial NF membranes, the obtained esterified membrane showed excellent selectivity between natural organic matter and salts, along with a reasonable water permeance. Moreover, the higher and stable removal capacity of the esterified membrane for disinfection byproducts and their precursors demonstrated its application advantage in the potential chlorination-NF-coupled process. The developed chlorine-resistant membrane and initially attempted NF filtration of chlorinated water in this study can help promote process innovation and highlight more benefits of NF technology for drinking water treatment.

Quasi-vertically asymmetric channels of graphene oxide membrane for ultrafast ion sieving

The high performance of two-dimensional (2D) channel membranes is generally achieved by preparing ultrathin or forming short channels with less tortuous transport through self-assembly of small flakes, demonstrating potential for highly efficient water desalination and purification, gas and ion separation, and organic solvent waste treatment. Here, we report the construction of vertical channels in graphene oxide (GO) membrane based on a substrate template with asymmetric pores. The membranes achieved water permeance of 2647 L m−2 h−1 bar−1 while still maintaining an ultrahigh rejection rate of 99.9% for heavy metal ions, which is superior to the state-of-the-art 2D membranes reported. Furthermore, the membranes exhibited excellent stability during long-term filtration experiments for at least 48 h, as well as resistance to ultrasonic treatment for over 100 minutes. The vertical channels possess very short pathway for almost direct water transport and a highly effective channel area, meanwhile the asymmetric porous template enhances the packing of the inserted GO nanosheets to avoid the swelling effect of membrane. Our work provides a simple way to fabricate vertical channels of 2D nanofiltration membranes with high water purification performance.

An experimental study on water purification performance of modified volcanic rock ecological concrete

Eco-concrete is an engineered porous material, often used in pervious pavement and slope protection. Volcanic rock, due to its loose and porous structure, can absorb pollutants and improve the performance of eco-concrete. Here, this study determined the performance of eco-concrete modified with different contents of volcanic rock in sewage purification. The results showed that eco-concrete purified sewage, and that adding volcanic rock further improved the removal capacity of total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) by 34.1, 47.3, and 6%, respectively. The water purification mechanism of volcanic rock eco-concrete (VREC) was mainly physical water absorption (mechanical retention) and microbial degradation. With the increase in the content of cement slurry, the adsorption amount decreased, porosity decreased, and strength increased, gradually not meeting the engineering application requirements. Therefore, the high porosity volcanic rock eco-concrete (VREC) had the best water purification performance. The result conclude that eco-concrete should be prepared with an admixture of volcanic rock with 30% porosity for the best sewage purification results.

Leveraging almost hydrophobic PVDF membrane and in-situ ozonation in O3/UF/BAC system for superior anti-fouling and rejection performance in drinking water treatment.

The almost hydrophobic PVDF membrane (PVDF matrix) commonly exhibited excellent performance in pollutant rejection but with poor anti-fouling performance. This study intended to develop the rejection performance and enhance anti-fouling of the PVDF membrane in an O3/UF/BAC system for high quality water production through leveraging the advantages of in-situ ozonation and the nature of the PVDF membrane. Reduced density gradient (RDG) analysis demonstrated that the PVDF membrane exhibited excellent ozone resistance by reducing hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions between the membrane surface and ozone. Consequently, the physicochemical properties of the PVDF membrane remained unchanged in the laboratory continuous flow experiment with in-situ ozonation at 2.86 mg/L. The almost hydrophobicity of the PVDF membrane not only resisted fouling but also facilitated the reaction between ozone and foulants of higher concentrations locally at membrane surface, leading to dynamic changes in membrane fouling, with TMP/TMP0 initially increasing, then decreasing and stable. Therefore, the Rtotal, Rcake and Rgel of the PVDF membrane decreased by 47.40 %, 46.79 % and 50.99 % as compared to the UF/BAC system, respectively, in the O3/UF/BAC system. In-situ ozonation transformed macromolecular substances into micromolecules, particularly organic matter with lignin/carboxylic-rich alicyclic molecules and aromatic structures. The majority of these micromolecules were either rejected by the deposited foulants layer through Van der Waals interaction and utilized as a carbon source by membrane surface microorganisms (eg., Curvibacter and Methyloversatilis), or further degraded by microorganism in the BAC unit. This resulted in a 19.34 % and 40.58 % reduction in CODMn concentrations in the UF and BAC effluents, respectively. The system's anti-fouling and water purification performance observed in laboratory experiments was confirmed in a pilot test, providing new insights into the use of in-situ ozonation and organic membranes.

Shape, morphology, and components-dependent motion and water purification performance study of multi-metal–organic frameworks based micromotors

Shape, morphology, and components-dependent motion and water purification performance study of multi-metal–organic frameworks based micromotors

Highly efficient solar steam evaporation via elastic polymer covalent organic frameworks monolith

Three-dimensional solar steam evaporators with efficient water purification performance have received increasing attention recently. Herein, elastic polymer covalent organic frameworks (PP-PEG) containing PEG chains with intriguing adaptability to guests are prepared by forming porphyrin rings. PP-PEG foams demonstrate full spectrum absorbance and excellent photothermal conversion properties. Through well-designed thermal management and optimization of the hydrophilicity and PEG chain length, we obtain a highly efficient solar evaporator with an evaporation rate of 4.89 kg m−2 h−1 under 1 sun in self-contained mode. The optimized solar evaporation rate is increased to 18.88 kg m−2 h−1 under 1 sun with a facile truncated cone reflector, exceeding all known solar steam evaporators. This innovative design holds immense promise for desalination and water purification owing to its simple preparation, high efficiency and durability.

A novel chitosan/biochar-modified eco-concrete with balanced mechanical, planting, and water purification performance for riparian restoration

The blocking between terrestrial and riverine ecosystems by impermeable concrete can cause negative impacts on plant growth, water quality, and biodiversity in riparian zones. Herein, pursuing a balance among mechanical, planting, and water purification property, chitosan/biochar-modified eco-concrete (CBEC) was prepared as a new sustainable alternative for riparian protection, ecological restoration and water quality improvement. Compressive strength of CBEC with an optimized chitosan/biochar content of 6% could reach up to 14.05 MPa, meeting the requirements for stabilizing riparian slopes. Micromorphology characterization and porosity measurement (29.63%) confirmed the abundantly porous structure of CBEC, facilitating the soil-water nutrient exchange, plant growth and microbial attachment. The 30-d water tank cultivation observed that the physiological parameters of T. orientalis planted in CBEC, including biomass, chlorophyll, protein and starch, were greatly improved compared to unmodified eco-concrete (EC). Moreover, compared to EC, biochar-modified EC and chitosan-modified EC, the planting CBEC could most effectively decrease the levels of TN, NH4+-N, TP, and COD by 53.82%, 62.50%, 88.31%, and 57.95%, respectively. Specially, the planting CBEC could degrade a common but recalcitrant pesticide nitenpyram (NTP) by 32.83% into low-toxic substances, recognized by LC-MS analysis. Microbiological analysis revealed that CBEC greatly promoted the proliferation of both nutrient-transforming bacteria (e.g., Nitrospira and Pseudomonas) and some specific species dominating NTP degradation (e.g., Rhodococcus and Bacillus). Also, PICRUSt2 prediction results identified the enrichment of functional genes related to nitrogen and phosphorus transformation. Our findings can not only develop a superior multi-performance eco-concrete material but also provide a promising strategy for sustainable riparian restoration.

Simultaneous removal of groundwater manganese and ammonia nitrogen based on high-flux gravity driven ceramic membrane (HF-GDCM) coupled with aerated fluidized birnessite

High concentrations of manganese ion (Mn2+) and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) in groundwater are indicative of a critical environmental issue that necessitates immediate attention. The gravity-driven ceramic membrane (GDCM) technology has shown great potential for groundwater treatment in rural communities, owing to its low energy demand and user-friendly operation. Active manganese oxide (MnOx) is extensively used for the concurrent removal of Mn2+ and NH3-N, leveraging its large specific surface area and abundant adsorption sites. Our research group has developed a GDCM-MnOx coupled system to address this challenge. However, membrane fouling, manifested as a reduction in flux or an increase in transmembrane pressure, has been a significant barrier to its widespread adoption. To address this challenge, we have implemented a continuous aeration system in conjunction with GDCM to fluidize birnessite to achieve the higher membrane flux, which has also proven effective in mitigating fouling while maintaining high water purification performance. Over a period of 100 days or more, the high membrane flux in the high-flux GDCM system (HF-GDCM) enhanced with aerated fluidized birnessite has been consistently maintained at approximately 34 L/(m2·h) at a water head of 1 m. Moreover, the HF-GDCM system efficiently removed manganese and NH3-N from groundwater under a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of less than 2.5 h, while also improving membrane permeability. The involvement of manganese oxidizing bacteria (MnOB) and ammonium-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) of Hypomicrobium and Nocardioides in the removal processes within the HF-GDCM system was confirmed. Additionally, XPS analysis confirmed the predominant oxidation state of MnOx to be Mn(III). The MnOx, deposited on powdered activated carbon (PAC) particles in a flower-like configuration, progressively formed a birnessite-like functional layer as the manganese ion content increased over time. Consequently, the HF-GDCM coupled with aerated fluidized birnessite is deemed suitable for water purification in small-scale rural or reservoir settings.

Sorbents Based on Natural Zeolites for Carbon Dioxide Capture and Removal of Heavy Metals from Wastewater: Current Progress and Future Opportunities

This review is dedicated to the potential use of natural zeolites for wastewater treatment and carbon dioxide capture. Zeolites, due to their microporous structure and high surface activity, are used as sorbents. One effective application of zeolites is in wastewater treatment, which leads to the removal of pollutants and improvement in water quality. Zeolites can also be used for carbon dioxide capture, which helps reduce its concentration in the atmosphere and addresses climate change issues. This review examines recent research on the use of natural zeolites for the removal of heavy metals from water and CO2 capture. It explores the broad applications of natural zeolites by understanding their adsorption capabilities and the mechanisms affecting their performance in water purification from heavy metals and CO2 capture.

Impact of iron-modified fillers on enhancing water purification performance and mitigating greenhouse effect in constructed wetlands

ABSTRACT Iron is gradually being introduced into constructed wetlands (CWs) to enhance the removal of pollutants due to its active chemical properties and ability to participate in various reactions, but its effectiveness in greenhouse effect control needs to be studied. In this study, three CWs were established to evaluate the effect of iron scraps and iron-carbon as substrates on pollutants removal and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and the corresponding mechanisms were explored through analysis of microbial characteristics. The results showed that iron scraps and iron – carbon are effective in enhancing the effluent quality of CWs. Iron-carbon exhibited notable efficacy in removing nitrate nitrogen (NO3 --N) and chemical oxygen demand (COD), achieving stable removal rates of 98.46% and 84.89%, respectively. Iron scraps had advantages in promoting the removal of ammonia nitrogen (NH4 +-N) and total nitrogen (TN), with removal rates of 43.73% and 71.56%, respectively. The emission fluxes of nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4), and carbon dioxide (CO2) had temporal variability, always peaking in the early phases of operation. While iron scraps and iron-carbon effectively reduced the average emission flux of N2O and CO2, they simultaneously increased the average emission flux of CH4 (from 0.2349–2.2698 and 1.1956mg/m2/h, respectively). From the perspective of reducing global warming potential (GWP), iron – carbon had superior performance (from 146.2548–86.7447 mg/m2/h). In addition, the greenhouse gas emission flux was closely related to the microbial community structure in CWs, particularly with a more pronounced response observed in N2O emissions.

Enhanced water purification performance of composite PVA–ZnO–Al2O3 hollow fiber membrane: A breakthrough approach for high-temperature stability, low-pressure water separation

This work describes the development of a composite Al2O3 hollow fiber combined with multiple-layer ZnO nanoparticles and PVA polymer as the active side for low-pressure saltwater purification. The composite membrane was evaluated with an active layer-facing salt solution, and slight suction condition was applied to the permeate inside the membrane lumen. Results show that varying nanoparticle layers to tune the porosity of the composite membrane influenced its morphology, porosity, and hydrophilicity. The effect of porosity tuning on the membrane characteristics and desalination performance was investigated. A salt rejection rate of >90 % was recorded for all 5 % PVA–ZnO–Al2O3 hollow fiber membranes with the highest salt rejection of 96.34 % and the water flux of 15.49 kg·m−2·h−1. The membrane was further tested with untreated natural seawater to demonstrate its ability to withstand continuous operation. The membrane has acceptable chemical stability when exposed to untreated natural seawater. The optimal PVA–ZnO–Al2O3 hollow fiber membrane exhibited efficient water phase change transfer and high salt rejection, making it a promising candidate for seawater purification.

Enhanced waste water purification performance of solar-driven interfacial water evaporation through the integration of electrocatalysis

Solar-driven interfacial water evaporation (SDIWE) has been proven to be an effective method for purifying polluted water. However, the challenging issue of removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from wastewater is frequently encountered. In this study, the SDIWE-electrocatalysis coupling system is established by employing defective TiO2 as both photothermal and electrode materials, and significant enhancements are achieved in terms of water evaporation rate and distilled water quality. The application of voltage not only generates joule heat but also reduces water evaporation enthalpy, contributing to the improved water evaporation rate. Under solar irradiation of 1.0 kW·m−2, the water evaporation rate increases from 1.43 kg·m−2·h−1 at 0 V to 1.63 kg·m−2·h−1 at 2.0 V. With the utilization of Ti@R-TiO2 foam as the anode and Ti@TiO2 foam as the cathode, it becomes feasible to directly oxidize VOCs at the anode and electrocatalytically reduce O2 at the cathode. Consequently, the VOCs can be effectively eliminated from distilled water. Applying 2.0 V under 1.0 kW·m−2 with oxygen inlet, approximately 25 % removal efficiency was achieved through electrolysis-SDIWE coupling system. This study's approach combining electrolysis with SDIWE presents a promising avenue for advancing SDIWE technology in order to achieve efficient wastewater treatment.

Augmenting interfacial solar steam generation using 3D-printed hollow honeycomb structured pattern filled with rGO decorated natural fibres

In the present study, a hollow honeycomb structured (HHS) pattern is fabricated using fusion deposition modelling and filled with different natural fibres namely sugarcane (SC) and cotton sponge (CS). It is then called HHS-SC and HHS-CS interfacial solar evaporators. In addition, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanomaterial is coated on the top evaporative surface of the developed evaporators to investigate the performance of interfacial solar steam generation (ISSG). During experimentation, HHS-CS/rGO evaporator exhibits better performance than HHS-SC/rGO evaporator. At indoor conditions, mass loss of water (MW), evaporation flux (EF) and evaporation efficiency (EE) of the HHS-CS/rGO evaporator are 2.0 g, 3.493 kg/m2h and 84.04 % respectively. Consequently, the MW, EF and EE are 6.2 g, 1.35 kg/m2h and 61.29 % respectively at outdoor conditions. Results show that (i) the reduction in the size of porosity and improved capillary action of CS (ii) the super hydrophilicity nature of CS increases the water transportation (iii) the poor thermal conductivity of CS (iv) the higher thermal conductivity of rGO aids in trapping the sunlight. The stability and repeatability of the HHS-CS/rGO evaporator are investigated and found to be excellent for 8 repetitive cycles. Additionally, the prepared interfacial solar evaporator results better performance in dye molecule separation and salt water purification and hence, this can be recommended for commercial applications.

Radiation-Induced Hydrogel for Water Treatment.

Along with serving as drug delivery sensors and flexible devices, hydrogels are playing pioneering roles in water purification. Both chemical and radiation methods can produce hydrogels, with the latter method gaining preference for its pure adducts. The water treatment process entails the removal of heavy and toxic metals (above the threshold amount), dyes, and solid wastes from industrial effluents, seawater, and groundwater, as well as sterilization for microorganism destruction. This review analyzed the different types of hydrogels produced by applying various radiations for water treatment. Particularly, we examined the hydrogels created through the application of varying levels of gamma and electron beam radiation from the electron gun and Co-60 sources. Moreover, we discuss the optimized radiation doses, the compositions (monomers and polymers) of raw materials required for hydrogel preparation, and their performance in water purification. We present and predict the current state and future possibilities of radiation-induced hydrogels. We explain and compare the superiority of one radiation method over other radiation methods (UV-visible, X-ray, microwave, etc.) based on water treatment.

Facile preparation of a novel basalt fiber fabric-based photothermal material for high salinity wastewater treatment and solar interface evaporation

Solar-driven interfacial evaporation (SIE) is a sustainable, efficient, and environmentally friendly desalination technology. It has great potential for solving the shortage of clean water and environmental pollution that humanity faces. Nevertheless, low strength, inadequate efficiency, and complicated preparation process of photothermal materials continue to be primary barriers to achieving the widespread application of SIE technology. Therefore, in the present work, a low-cost and eco-friendly photothermal material was prepared successfully by using multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), sodium alginate (SA) hydrogel, and basalt fiber (BF) fabric for obtaining purified/drinking water from seawater/brackish water. The results indicated that newly developed MWCNTs-SA/BF fabric had better wettability, evaporation performance, and purification capability. The evaporation rate of MWCNTs-SA/BF evaporator using simulated high salinity seawater could reach 1.48 kg m−2h−1 and 2.5 kg m−2h−1, under 1 and 2 suns illumination, respectively, and solar energy utilization efficiency is 91.6 % under 1 sun irradiation. Additionally, cyclic evaporation test results show that fabrics are highly durable for long-term solar evaporation. Furthermore, an excellent water purification performance of MWCNTs-SA/BF fabrics was also demonstrated by evaluating the purity of water samples and determining the changes in the four major ions (Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+) in seawater before and after evaporation experiments. This work provides a simple, practical, and economical approach to preparing a novel BF fabric-based evaporator that utilizes abundant solar energy potential for large-scale desalination and wastewater treatment.

A whole process study of dual microalgae cultivation coupled to domestic wastewater treatment and wheat growth

The multiple microalgal collaborative treatment of domestic wastewater has been extensively investigated, but its whole life cycle tracking and consequent potential have not been fully explored. Herein, a dual microalgal system was employed for domestic wastewater treatment, tracking the variation in microalgal growth and pollutants removal from shake flask scale to 18 L photobioreactors scales. The results showed that Chlorella sp. HL and Scenedesmus sp. LX1 combination had superior growth and water purification performance, and the interspecies soluble algal products promoted their growth. Through microalgae mixing ratio and inoculum size optimized, the highest biomass yield (0.42 ± 0.03 g/L) and over 91 % N, P removal rates were achieved in 18 L photobioreactor. Harvested microalgae treated in different forms all promoted wheat growth and suppressed yellow leaf rate. This study provided data support for the whole process tracking of dual microalgal system in treating domestic wastewater and improving wheat growth.

Effect of design and operation parameters on solar‐driven membrane‐based desalination systems: An overview

AbstractDue to the scarcity of freshwater resources in many arid regions of the world, as well as rapidly growing populations and industrialization, various desalination technologies have been developed and enhanced to improve the performance of saline water purification with high quality. Integrating solar energy technologies with desalination systems would alleviate the running out of fossil fuel sources, reduce costs, and improve energy efficiency. Solar‐powered desalination systems could be a viable and efficient method for treating highly saline water for human consumption. Obtaining reliable and accurate design parameters for such hybrid systems plays a significant role in determining the system performance of solar‐driven desalination systems. The present review provides a comprehensive review of various solar‐driven membrane‐based desalination systems to investigate the impact of design and operation parameters for solar and desalination units on the effectiveness of the hybrid solar/desalination system. Recent advancements in utilizing numerous solar energy sources for desalination are analyzed herein. The economic implications of various membrane desalination operations for different solar energy sources are also discussed. It was revealed that the solar system design parameters, desalination unit characteristics, feed water properties, and climate conditions all affect the functionality and productivity of the membrane‐based solar‐powered desalination system. The feed pressure, number and shape of membranes, and the integrated solar system, all have significant impacts on the performance of the hybrid system. This article provides a pathway for desalination researchers to select the optimal design and operation parameters for hybrid solar‐powered membrane‐based desalination systems. Notably, they are found more feasible and sustainable than traditional desalination processes. Several related conclusions and future perspectives are reported herein.This article is categorized under: Sustainable Energy > Solar Energy

Preparation of Ti4O7/h‐BN self‐supported ceramic photoelectrode and its photoelectrocatalytic performance for water purification

AbstractThe construction of high‐efficiency self‐supported ceramic photoelectrode based on ideal semiconductor materials is essential for achieving effective degradation of pollutants by photoelectrocatalysis (PEC) technology. Herein, a Ti4O7/h‐BN composite ceramic photoelectrode with a unique microstructure was fabricated by a step‐by‐step calcination process and used in PEC water pollution remediation. The PEC activity of Ti4O7 ceramic photoelectrode could be enhanced by introducing hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN) nanoparticles on the surface. The most optimized Ti4O7/h‐BN photoelectrode exhibited the decolorization rate of active brilliant blue KN‐R at about 97.79% in 30 min. The PEC activities could remain stable during five degradation cycles. The excellent photoelectrocatalytic performance of Ti4O7/h‐BN ceramic photoelectrode could be attributed to the low Tafel slope, low charge transfer resistance, large electrochemical active area, and excellent photo‐generated carrier separation efficiency. A type‐II heterojunction was formed between the Ti4O7 and h‐BN, which caused more effective carrier separation and enhanced the generation of dominant active species •O2− and h+. This work provided a mature synthesis strategy of Ti4O7/h‐BN self‐supported ceramic photoelectrodes with excellent practical application prospects to achieve superior PEC performance for water purification.

A backbone support structure and capillary effect-induced high-flux MOF-based mixed-matrix membrane for selective dye/salt separation

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) based mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) exhibited an excellent promise for separating dye molecules and salt ions due to their permeability and selectability. However, controlling interfacial compatibility between the polymer and MOFs remained challenging, and MOF-based MMMs were poorly processable. Herein, the dual-bath coagulation method was developed to form the polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) polymer precursor layer, which provided a skeleton support structure. Inspired by the capillary effect, the nanosheet copper-ZIFs were in situ grown in the skeleton support structure, forming capillary microporous channels. The formation of capillary microporous channels endowed the MOF-based MMMs with high permeability of water molecules. Interestingly, the MOF@PVDF/PVP membrane exhibited excellent water permeance (ca. 635.7 L·m−2·h−1·bar) and selectivity for dye/salt separation (dye removal approaching 100 %, salt removal < 10 %). Even for the cationic small-molecule dyes, the MMMs showed an outstanding rejection (e.g., 96.3 % for malachite green and 96.7 % for methylene blue). The water permeance of the MOF@PVDF/PVP membrane was much higher than that of most membranes with similar rejection rates for dyes. Besides, the antifouling and antibacterial properties confirm that the MMMs could maintain long-term stability in practical dyeing wastewater treatment. This study provides an efficient approach to preparing MOF-based MMMs with capillary and skeleton support structures, which exhibited superior performance and outstanding stability for water purification.

Constructing core-shell structured Co3O4–MnWO4 composite photoelectrode with superior PEC water purification performance

Semiconductor photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) technology is one of the most effective methods for removing organic pollutants from wastewater in advanced oxidation processes(AOPs). The selection of suitable semiconductor materials as photoanodes is a crucial factor for achieving superior PEC performance. Here, a core-shell structured Co3O4–MnWO4 architecture is created by enveloping MnWO4 nanoparticles onto the surface of Co3O4 nanowires through a two-step hydrothermal process. The optimized Co3O4–MnWO4-5 photoelectrode showed superior PEC degradation efficiency for KN-R (∼91.2% in 2 h) and durable stability (the accelerated lifetime reached ∼9100 s at a current density of 50 mA cm−2). Three actual wastewaters were also collected to verify the practical applicability of the photoelectrode.The energy consumption was measured at 4.48 kWhm−3, with a COD removal efficiency of 83% and a decolorization rate of 98%. These results demonstrate the excellent performance and promising application of the photoelectrode. The enhancement of PEC performance for the core-shell structured Co3O4–MnWO4 architecture can be attributed to the suitable energy band structure of the Co3O4–MnWO4 composite, higher OEP, larger electrochemical active surface area, accelerated transport of interface carriers, and lower charge transfer resistance. The energy band structure of the Co3O4–MnWO4 composite showed a strong redox ability to induce electrons/holes (e−/h+), which enhances the generation of intermediate active species (hydroxyl radical ·OH and superoxide radicals ·O2-). Therefore, the rationally designed core-shell structured Co3O4–MnWO4 architecture exhibited excellent practical applicability in the degradation of organic pollutants.