Electrospinning Machine | Dual-Metal Synergy in Sn-Sb-CNF Membrane Anodes Boosts Electro-Filtration Oxidation of Emerging Contaminants

Challenge: Emerging contaminants, including pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), pose significant threats to aquatic ecosystems and human health. 

Method: Researcher Zhang Jun from Tsinghua University Shenzhen International Graduate School demonstrated efficient electrochemical oxidation of PPCPs using a novel tin-antimony doped carbon nanofiber membrane (Sn-Sb-CNF) anode via bimetallic synergy. This synergy generates oxygen vacancies that serve as active sites, enhancing pollutant adsorption capacity and oxidant activation ability. 

Innovation 1: Sn/Sb bimetal doping modulates the electronic structure, shifting the d-band center from -4.777 eV to -2.175 eV, significantly reducing the reaction energy barrier. This electronic optimization facilitates electron transfer kinetics and accelerates pollutant degradation. 

Innovation 2: Due to this synergy, the Sn-Sb-CNF anode achieves high removal efficiency (>90%) for multiple PPCPs (ofloxacin (95%), enrofloxacin (91%), carbamazepine (90%), acetaminophen (82%), and ibuprofen (96%)) within 30 minutes. 

Innovation 3: Additionally, the membrane demonstrates strong antibacterial activity, achieving 4-fold inactivation of tetracycline-resistant E. coli and 5-fold reduction of T7 phage within 30 minutes. In actual wastewater containing antibiotic-resistant bacteria, the system reached 62% mineralization rate. 

https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202512066