Incorporation of atomically dispersed cobalt in the 2D metal–organic framework of a lamellar membrane for highly efficient peroxymonosulfate activation

The peroxymonosulfate (PMS)-based Fenton-like reaction is one of the most promising technologies for controlling emerging organic pollutants in water and wastewater. Herein, we present a novel lamellar membrane comprised of a water-stable two-dimensional (2D) porphyrin metal–organic framework with atomically dispersed CoN4 catalytic centers (CoSA-PMOF) for highly efficient PMS activation. The single Co atoms decorating the porphyrin rings of CoSA-PMOF boosted PMS activation and, subsequently, SO4•− radical generation. CoSA-PMOF enhanced the degradation rate of moxifloxacin (MOX) in water by more than 20 times compared with the pristine PMOF. The novel 2D CoSA-PMOF lamellar membrane achieved an exceptional performance, with 100 % MOX removal via single-pass filtration at a high flux of 48 L m-2 h-1. Its excellent catalytic performance may be attributed to the confinement effect that traps PMS and pollutant molecules in the vicinity of the single-atom Co sites within the lamellar membrane during filtration.