Accelerated arsenic decontamination using graphene oxide-supported metal-organic framework nanoconfined membrane for sustainable performance

Developing highly efficient bimetallic metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) as catalysts for Fenton-like reactions holds significant promise for decontamination processes. Although MOFs with excellent decontamination capabilities are achievable, ensuring their long-term stability, especially in the organoarsenic harmless treatment, remains a formidable challenge. Herein, we proposed a unique nanoconfinement strategy using graphene oxide (GO)-supported Prussian blue analogs (PBA) as catalytic membrane, which modulated the peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation in p-arsanilic acid (p-ASA) degradation from traditional radical pathways to a synergy of both radical and non-radical pathways. This dual-pathway activation with sulfate radicals (SO₄^•−) and singlet oxygen (¹O₂) was a significant advancement, ensuring the exceptionally high reactivity and stability for over 80 h of continuous membrane operation. The PBA@GO membrane achieved a degradation rate constant of 0.79 ms⁻¹, with an increase of four orders of magnitude compared to the nonconfined PBA@GO composites, while ensuring comprehensive arsenic removal ensuring comprehensive arsenic removal and demonstrating remarkably efficient total organic carbon elimination (92.2 % versus 57.6 % in 20 min). The PBA@GO membrane also showed excellent resistance towards inorganic ions, humic acid, and complex water matrices. This facile and universal strategy paves the way for the fabrication of MOFs-based catalytic membranes for optimizing performance in arsenic pollution treatment.