Boosting water depollution: development of a novel hybrid photocatalytic membrane for removal of contaminants of emerging concern

Emerging pollutants, including pharmaceuticals and endocrine-disrupting compounds, are drawing serious global attention due to their persistent nature in the environment and potential health implications.

To address these challenges, I haveHYCEM is centered on the development of an innovative Z-scheme photocatalytic membrane optimized for the degradation of contaminants of emerging concern (CEC) in water.

Furthermore, this project aims to improve the heterojunction structure by applying surface engineering which results in dendritic morphology and unique electron transfer channels.

By harnessing a hybrid system of degradation and separation by developing a metal-organic framework (MOF) photocatalytic heterojunction, immobilized on a PDOT membrane with the epitaxial growth method, HYCEM will overcome challenges related to low photoactivation, rapid charge recombination, limited surface area, and stability.Emerging pollutants, including pharmaceuticals and endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), are drawing global attention due to their persistent nature and potential health implications.

Addressing this, the integrated HYCEM system not only promises effective CEC degradation but also eliminates intermediate by-productsmitigating secondary pollution, optimizing photocatalyst reuse and coping with the challenges of the commercial application.A pioneering facet of HYCEM is its ability to utilize visible light for degradation, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to the conventional energy-intensive UV light methods.

Additionally, this project will enrich our knowledge on CEC degradation pathways, presenting invaluable data for future chemical oxidative treatments.Beyond the technical advancements, HYCEM also emphasizes my training, enhancing my skills in diverse aspects of management and leadership to a high level, ensuring I gain both specialized knowledge in the field and broader competencies that will significantly improve my professional development.