A novel integrated process of ceramic membrane filtration coupled with peroxymonosulfate activation and adsorption for water treatment

Emerging contaminants have been widespread in water, while conventional membrane separation is difficult to effectively remove these organic micropollutants. This study develops a novel integrated process of ceramic membrane filtration combined with peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation and adsorption for organic pollutants removal by loading Co coated granular active carbon (Co@GAC) into the membrane channels. The removal and stability performance of the strategy was systematically investigated. Excellent removal efficiency of bisphenol A (BPA) in the Co@GAC-membrane/PMS system was attained owing to the activated PMS and enhanced adsorption by the Co@GAC in the membrane channels. Based on the scavenger tests and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analyses, sulfate radicals (SO 4 •− ) and hydroxyl radicals ( • OH) were identified as the major reactive species responsible for the degradation of BPA in the system, and the redox circles of Co(III)/Co(II) on the Co@GAC were primarily responsible for PMS activation. Moreover, the Co@GAC-membrane/PMS system exhibited excellent universality for various organic pollutants and stability for repetitive use. This study provides a new insight into the design and development of the integrated process of membrane filtration coupled with advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) and adsorption for water treatment.