10 August 2026, Volume 52 Issue 8
    

Download cover Download table of contents
  • Select all
    |
  • From Sink to Source: A Review on Spatial Differentiation, Fate and Risk Control of Emerging Contaminants in Urban Sewer Sediments
    XU Weibin, FAN Lu, LAI Junda, YUE Dongyao, LIU Di, LIU Jiao, WANG Jingye, LIANG Jialuo, QI Fei
    Technology of Water Treatment. 2026, 52(8): 1-11.
    Abstract | Download PDF ( ) Cite this Article Knowledge map Save
    Sewer sediments act as key endogenous reservoirs of PFAS, antibiotics, microplastics and other emerging contaminants. Rainfall-triggered sediment resuspension releases massive pollutants, serving as a major trigger of black-odorous water and aquatic risks in flood seasons. Based on 174 Chinese and English literatures from 2003 to 2026, bibliometric analysis via CiteSpace was conducted to clarify global research patterns and hotspots. This paper compares EC distribution in sediments of different sewer systems and urban functional zones, quantifies three pollution input pathways including domestic wastewater, surface runoff and industrial wastewater. It reveals gas-liquid-solid interfacial adsorption, vertical migration and coupled aerobic-anaerobic transformation rules, clarifies pulsed discharge in rainy days and sustained desorption in dry periods, analyzes multi-level toxic effects of combined pollutants on aquatic organisms, and summarizes an integrated source-conveyance-end control framework. Current research has obvious deficiencies including insufficient mechanistic interpretation, lack of standardized risk assessment and scarce in-situ remediation technologies. Further work should improve source control, synergistic advanced treatment and cross-media multi-department early warning systems, to support source identification, risk grading and long-term risk management of ECs in sewer sediments.
  • Removal Performance of Common Household Water Purifier Treatment Processes for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Drinking Water
    YANG Yuxin1, SUI Qian, ZHAO Wentao, CAI Zhenxiao
    Technology of Water Treatment. 2026, 52(8): 12-20.
    Abstract | Download PDF ( ) Cite this Article Knowledge map Save
    Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have become a global concern in drinking water safety due to their environmental persistence, bioaccumulative potential and associated health risks. Household water purifiers, as point-of-use treatment devices, represent an important approach to mitigating PFAS contamination in domestic drinking water. However, systematic comparative studies on the PFAS removal performance of different water purifier treatment processes remain limited. In this study, we systematically reviewed relevant literatures published between 2008 and 2026, and summarized the removal efficiencies of commonly used treatment processes in household water purifiers. The effects of PFAS structural characteristics, including carbon chain length and functional group type, as well as feed water quality parameters on removal performance were analyzed. The results indicate that activated carbon is the predominant technology in PFAS removal by water purifiers, and activated carbon-based combined processes outperform single activated carbon processes, with the "activated carbon + reverse osmosis" configuration achieving the highest mean removal efficiency of 96% for total PFAS. PFAS chain length and functional groups significantly influence removal efficiency, with perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids exhibiting higher removal than perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids, and long-chain PFAS showing greater removal than their short-chain counterparts. Key factors affecting removal performance include the specific surface area, pore volume, particle size, and raw material source of activated carbon; the polymer matrix type and functional groups of ion exchange resins; the chemical properties and operating conditions of reverse osmosis membranes; and feed water quality parameters such as natural organic matter, inorganic ions, and pH. Future research should expand the spectrum of target PFAS, with a particular focus on ultrashort-chain and emerging PFAS. In parallel, systematic evaluation of the removal performance of three-stage combined processes across different chain-length PFAS is warranted to provide a scientific basis for the optimized design and effective utilization of water purifier products.
  • Research Progress of Water Treatment Technologies for Antibiotic-Heavy Metal Combined Pollution
    ZHAO Yumin, CAO Lihong, JIANG Junsheng, XU Ke, LEI Xiaodong, WANG Yiping
    Technology of Water Treatment. 2026, 52(8): 21-31.
    Abstract | Download PDF ( ) Cite this Article Knowledge map Save
    Antibiotics and heavy metals widely coexist in aquatic environments, leading to increasingly severe combined pollution. Compared with single pollution, antibiotic-heavy metal combined pollution is characterized by complex existing forms, variable migration and transformation behaviors, and prominent ecotoxicological effects, which greatly increases treatment difficulty. Therefore, it is of great practical significance for ensuring aquatic environment security and preventing ecological risk in China to carry out related research on the treatment of combined pollution. This paper systematically summarizes the research progress of water treatment technologies for antibiotic-heavy metal combined pollution. The treatment technologies are classified into three categories, including physicochemical, biological, and chemical methods. The reaction mechanisms, application advantages, and existing limitations of each technology are analyzed in depth, aiming to provide theoretical support and technical reference for the prevention and control of combined pollution as well as relevant research. Conventional single treatment technologies generally have limitations and fail to balance high treatment efficiency and economic applicability, making them hard to meet practical treatment requirements. Therefore, developing multi-technology coupled synergistic processes based on the interaction mechanisms between pollutants and exploring their application potential in actual wastewater will become a vital research direction in this field.
  • Advances in Microbubble Flotation for PFAS Removal from Aqueous Environments
    HU Shuling, ZHAO Wentao, LI Tong, MO Chencheng, WANG Mengxin
    Technology of Water Treatment. 2026, 52(8): 32-38.
    Abstract | Download PDF ( ) Cite this Article Knowledge map Save
    Due to the extremely high bond energy of C-F bonds in their molecular structure, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) exhibited exceptional chemical stability and persisted in aquatic environments, posing severe threats to ecological systems and human health, thus emerging as a pressing environmental pollution issue requiring urgent attention. Microbubble flotation technology, which possessed the unique physicochemical properties of microbubbles combined with the highly efficient solid-liquid separation capability of flotation processes, provided a novel pathway for the efficient and low-energy removal of PFAS from water. This paper systematically reviewed the current pollution status of PFAS in water and the removal mechanisms of microbubble flotation technology, which were summarized into four stages: free migration, interfacial adsorption, interfacial migration and enrichment, and flotation separation. The key factors influencing removal efficiency were categorized into three aspects: PFAS properties, flotation operational conditions, and water quality conditions. Building on this foundation, the challenges faced by this technology in treating complex wastewater and in engineering applications were discussed, and future research directions were proposed. This paper aimed to provide a theoretical basis for improving the PFAS pollution control technology system, as well as to offer references for process optimization and engineering applications.
  • Research Progress on Electroactive Membranes for Controlling Antibiotic Pollution in Tailwater
    ZHANG Shiqi, ZHANG Jukui, LIN Yingzi, REN Ruijun, ZHANG Qingjing, JIA Chengxia, QU Jiangqi, WU Yanfei
    Technology of Water Treatment. 2026, 52(8): 39-48.
    Abstract | Download PDF ( ) Cite this Article Knowledge map Save
    Antibiotics have been persistently detected in medical, aquaculture, and pharmaceutical tailwaters. Conventional biological treatment and stand-alone membrane separation cannot simultaneously achieve deep removal, reduction of resistance risks, and membrane fouling control. Electroactive membranes couple conductive membrane electrodes, membrane filtration, and electrochemical advanced oxidation, creating an enhanced mass-transfer micro-reaction zone within membrane pores or on the membrane surface, thereby enabling antibiotic retention, adsorptive enrichment, and in-situ degradation. According to four process categories, namely cathodic electro-Fenton, anodic oxidation, photoelectro-Fenton, and electro-persulfate, this review summarizes the reaction principles, membrane materials, reactor assembly, operating parameters, and antibiotic degradation mechanisms, and analyzes the applicability of carbon-based, metal oxide, and noble metal membrane materials. The advantage of electroactive membranes is not only reflected in pollutant removal efficiency; more importantly, they concurrently enhance mass transfer, generate reactive oxygen species in-situ, and alleviate membrane fouling during filtration. Natural organic matter, inorganic ions, and water quality fluctuations in real tailwater can affect the generation and utilization efficiency of reactive oxygen species, thereby influencing antibiotic removal performance, energy consumption, and membrane fouling behavior. Therefore, future research should strengthen long-term operation studies under continuous-flow real tailwater conditions, with emphasis on the development of highly conductive and oxidative electrode materials, reactor configuration design, and screening of operating parameters, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the engineering application of electroactive membranes.
  • Removal of Antibiotics and Antibiotic Resistance Genes from Livestock Wastewater Based on Biological Treatment
    LI Xinghui, YANG Siyu, GAO Peng, FENG Li, ZHANG Liqiu
    Technology of Water Treatment. 2026, 52(8): 49-60.
    Abstract | Download PDF ( ) Cite this Article Knowledge map Save
    Large-scale livestock wastewater has become an important environmental source of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and increasing attention has been paid to their occurrence, migration, and risk control. Owing to its economic feasibility and broad applicability, biological treatment has become a mainstream technology for wastewater treatment in large-scale livestock farms. This review systematically summarizes the sources, migration and transformation patterns, and ecological and health risks of antibiotics and ARGs in livestock wastewater. It focuses on the removal mechanisms, treatment performance, and key influencing factors of conventional biological processes, including anaerobic treatment, aerobic treatment, anaerobic-aerobic combined processes, and constructed wetlands. Furthermore, the enhanced performance of biological processes coupled with membrane separation, adsorption, advanced oxidation, electrochemical, and ecological technologies is critically analyzed. The risk quotient (RQ) and mixed hazard quotient (MHQ) models are summarized for the quantitative assessment of ecotoxicological risk levels under different treatment processes, indicating that coupled processes can significantly improve purification efficiency and reduce risks to low or even negligible levels. On this basis, future research directions are proposed, including coupled-process optimization, intelligent online monitoring, and life-cycle risk management, aiming to provide theoretical references and technical support for the efficient removal of antibiotics and ARGs from large-scale livestock wastewater and for the protection of environmental safety.
  • Mechanism and Research Progress of Dual-Metal Site Catalysts for Catalytic Ozonation of Emerging Contaminants in Water
    GAO Jianwei, ZHANG Liuqing, WU Jizhou, ZOU Kangbin, LONG Zhihong, SONG Zilong, YANG Xin
    Technology of Water Treatment. 2026, 52(8): 61-69.
    Abstract | Download PDF ( ) Cite this Article Knowledge map Save
    Dual-metal sites catalysts (DMSCs) combine the high atomic utilization of single-atom catalysts with the advantages of bimetallic synergy, demonstrating great potential in the field of catalytic ozonation for the removal of emerging contaminants from water. Focusing on the research progress of DMSCs in catalytic ozonation of emerging contaminants in water, this review starts from the ozone activation mechanism, systematically summarizes their design and synthesis strategies, highlights the removal performance and influencing factors of DMSCs for various emerging contaminants (including antibiotics, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products), and analyzes the synergistic catalytic mechanism and structure-activity relationship between bimetallic sites. Finally, the development directions and challenges in this field are prospected, aiming to provide a reference for the research and development of efficient water treatment technologies.
  • Research Progress on Degrading New Pollutants in Water Using Typical Piezoelectric Photocatalytic Materials
    AO Yifang, WANG Jiadong, ZHANG Hanbing, ZHANG Jie, WU Yuping, YAO Zuofang
    Technology of Water Treatment. 2026, 52(8): 70-81.
    Abstract | Download PDF ( ) Cite this Article Knowledge map Save
    Piezoelectric photocatalysis, as an emerging synergistic catalytic system, has garnered significant attention for its unique energy conversion mechanism and high degradation efficiency in treating novel pollutants characterized by concealment, persistence, hazardous properties, treatment challenges, and widespread prevalence. Based on this, this paper systematically reviews the structural characteristics, influencing factors, modification strategies, and application progress of piezoelectric photocatalytic materials in degrading emerging pollutants. Firstly, by analyzing four representative material categories, the structural characteristics and catalytic performance differences among various piezoelectric photocatalytic materials were summarized. Then, enhancement strategies for piezoelectric photocatalytic materials are introduced from both macro-external field and micro-physical property perspectives. These include multi-field coupling of light-ultrasound-electric field, heterostructure construction, surface/interface engineering, and defect regulation to significantly amplify the piezoelectric-photonic synergistic effect. Later, the application of piezoelectric photocatalytic materials in degrading complex water pollutants such as antibiotics, persistent organic pollutants, endocrine disruptors, and microplastics was elaborated. Finally, the development trends of this class of materials are projected to provide guidance for advancing the application of piezoelectric photocatalytic materials in practical wastewater treatment.
  • Review on the Degradation of Emerging Contaminants in Water by Iron-Based Materials Activating Persulfate
    GU Yukang, HUANG Xiao, ZHOU Guorun
    Technology of Water Treatment. 2026, 52(8): 82-91.
    Abstract | Download PDF ( ) Cite this Article Knowledge map Save
    In recent years, emerging contaminants (ECs) have attracted widespread attention due to their persistence and environmental accumulation. Although traditional biological treatment processes are cost-effective, their capacity to remove ECs is limited. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) based on persulfate (PS) oxidation can achieve the transformation and degradation of ECs by generating highly reactive radicals, but they face challenges such as the easy quenching of reactive species and low radical generation efficiency. As transition metal catalysts, iron-based materials offer advantages like low cost and recyclable valence states, effectively activating PS to enhance degradation efficiency. This paper clarifies the degradation principles and technical limitations of PS oxidation technology for ECs. It summarizes the activation mechanisms of PS by iron-based materials from two aspects: radical pathways (direct oxidation, electrophilic addition, hydrogen abstraction) and non-radical pathways (singlet oxygen, electron transfer, high-valent iron oxidation). It also reviews the progress in the efficiency of activating PS to degrade ECs using natural iron-based materials (hematite, pyrite, magnetite, etc.) and synthetic iron-based materials (zero-valent iron, iron-based bimetallics, iron-carbon composites, etc.), and provides an outlook on future research directions. This study aims to deepen the understanding of ECs degradation by iron-based materials activating PS and lay a technical foundation for ECs removal in aquatic environments.
  • Biochar-Based Catalysts Driving Multi-Pathway Advanced Oxidation Processes for Degradation of Emerging Contaminants: Efficiency and Activation Mechanisms
    LI Yingxin, GAO Mingchang, WANG Yexiang, MA Chengzheng, QIU Qi, SUN Shaofang
    Technology of Water Treatment. 2026, 52(8): 92-98.
    Abstract | Download PDF ( ) Cite this Article Knowledge map Save
    Emerging contaminants pose significant potential risks to human health and the ecological environment, due to their characteristics such as low concentration, high biotoxicity, environmental persistence and bioaccumulation. Biochar-based catalysts have garnered substantial attention in the field of advanced oxidation processes for the degradation of emerging contaminants in water. Based on this, this review systematically elucidates the degradation efficiency and mechanisms of common advanced oxidation processes catalyzed by biochar involving hydrogen peroxide, ozone , persulfates, peracetic acid, and high-valent metal salts. It discusses the stability and biotoxicity of biochar-catalyzed advanced oxidation processes in water treatment applications, and looks forward to the possible research directions of biochar-catalyzed advanced oxidation processes in the future, making a comprehensive summary and outlook on the broad application of biochar-based catalysts in water treatment.
  • Research Progress on Aerobic Granular Sludge Technology: Formation Mechanisms and Removal of Emerging Contaminants
    JIANG Fan, WANG Zeheng, ZHAO Qian, WANG Shuo
    Technology of Water Treatment. 2026, 52(8): 99-107.
    Abstract | Download PDF ( ) Cite this Article Knowledge map Save
    Aerobic Granular Sludge (AGS) technology, with its excellent settling performance, compact structure, and ability to simultaneously remove multiple pollutants, has become an important innovation in the field of biological wastewater treatment. This article reviews the development history of AGS, systematically describes its physical, chemical and biological characteristics, and summarizes the main formation hypotheses including selective pressure-driven, extracellular polymeric substances, self-aggregation, nucleation theory, and filamentous bacteria. It also analyzes key influencing factors such as influent composition, settling time, dissolved oxygen, metal ions, quorum sensing, and DLVO theory. On this basis, the review focuses on the removal efficiency of AGS for emerging pollutants including antibiotics, perfluorinated compounds, and microplastics, revealing its adaptation mechanisms to pollutant stress through adsorption, biodegradation, and microbial metabolic regulation. Finally, challenges such as long-term operational stability and energy consumption optimization are pointed out, along with future research directions.
  • Fate and Enhanced Control of Emerging Contaminants (PFAS, EDCs) in Rural Wastewater by Coupling Constructed Wetlands with Advanced Oxidation Processes:A Review
    WANG Qing, YOU Shuyan, LIU Hao, LUAN Yanan, LIU Changqing
    Technology of Water Treatment. 2026, 52(8): 108-114.
    Abstract | Download PDF ( ) Cite this Article Knowledge map Save
    Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) have emerged as contaminants of growing concern in aquatic environments due to their high persistence, bioaccumulation potential, and associated ecological and health risks. In rural areas, the low coverage of wastewater treatment infrastructure and dispersed emission sources further exacerbate the migration and accumulation of these pollutants in water bodies. While constructed wetlands offer advantages such as low cost and strong ecological compatibility, their capacity to remove PFAS and EDCs remains limited and may entail risks of secondary release. Coupling constructed wetlands with advanced oxidation processes (AOP) has become an effective combined strategy to enhance the removal of these emerging contaminants. This review systematically summarizes the occurrence characteristics of PFAS and EDCs in rural wastewater, with a focus on analyzing their key fate processes—including sorption partitioning, microbial transformation and degradation, and photothermal effects—within constructed wetland systems. Furthermore, it explores the potential of synergistic enhancement strategies through functional substrate modification, plant-microbe synergistic effects, and integration with advanced oxidation processes. The aim of this review is to provide a theoretical foundation and practical pathways for developing efficient, stable, and low-consumption advanced treatment technologies tailored to rural wastewater management.
  • Research Progress on Photoelectrocooperative Catalytic Degradation of Perfluorinated Compounds in Printing and Dyeing Wastewater
    CAO Xianzhong, LOU Huiqing
    Technology of Water Treatment. 2026, 52(8): 115-121.
    Abstract | Download PDF ( ) Cite this Article Knowledge map Save
    Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs)—a class of persistent organic pollutants with extreme chemical stability and bioaccumulative potential—pose significant challenges to the treatment of printing and dyeing wastewater. This review systematically summarizes the research progress of photoelectrocooperative catalytic technologies in degrading PFCs in such wastewater, focusing on three core aspects: material design, reaction mechanisms, and engineering applications. In terms of material design, this review analyzes the construction strategies of semiconductor-conductive carrier composite systems and their roles in enhancing light absorption and charge carrier separation efficiency. Regarding reaction mechanisms, it elucidates the generation mechanisms of reactive oxygen species (ROS) under photoelectrocooperative conditions and their pathways for C—F bond cleavage. For engineering applications, it discusses the impacts of complex water quality conditions on catalytic performance in practical wastewater treatment and proposes potential optimization methods. Additionally, this review summarizes the major challenges currently encountered by these technologies and outlines future research directions, including the development of highly efficient and stable catalytic materials, optimization of reactor design, and promotion of large-scale applications. This review aims to provide theoretical insights and technical approaches for the treatment of PFCs in printing and dyeing wastewater, thus facilitating innovation in the field of environmental pollution control.
  • Efficiency and Mechanism of DBDP Synergistic SI-TI Catalytic Activation of Persulfate for PFOS Degradation in Water
    ZHANG Ling, QU Qiao, HAN Xueqi, DENG Chengxun, YU Zhimin, LIU Xiaowei, CHEN Peng
    Technology of Water Treatment. 2026, 52(8): 122-129.
    Abstract | Download PDF ( ) Cite this Article Knowledge map Save
    In this study, a composite oxidation system of dielectric barrier discharge plasma (DBDP) synergized with silicon-titanium composite catalyst (SI-TI) activated persulfate (PS) was constructed, and the operational parameters, response surface optimization, and contributions of reactive species were investigated. The results showed that the degradation rate and defluorination rate of the DBDP/SI-TI/PS synergistic system reached 94.13% and 44.95%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those of the two subsystems. The interaction between discharge voltage and SI-TI/PS mass ratio was significant, and the optimized reaction conditions were as follows: initial concentration of 10 mg/L, discharge voltage of 9 kV, carrier gas flow rate of 5 L/min, and SI-TI/PS mass ratio of 1:5. Quenching experiments indicated that SO4•-、•OH、1O2、•O2- and h+ jointly participated in the chain scission and defluorination of PFOS, generating short-chain fluorinated intermediates during the reaction. ECOSAR prediction demonstrated that the toxicity of the main products was lower than that of PFOS. This system may provide a reference and mechanistic basis for the advanced oxidative treatment of PFOS-containing wastewater.
  • Optimization Study on the Separation Performance of Microplastics by the Gap Structure of Miniature Hydraulic Cyclone
    LIU Lian, DAI Li, DENG Qingfeng, WEI Aosong
    Technology of Water Treatment. 2026, 52(8): 130-137.
    Abstract | Download PDF ( ) Cite this Article Knowledge map Save
    Microplastics pose a persistent threat to the environment due to their difficulty in degradation. The existing separation technologies still have limitations in handling micro-sized particles and urgently require the development of efficient separation methods. The hydrocyclone, with its simple structure, large processing capacity, and no need for chemical agents, has become one of the effective means for solid-liquid separation. However, the separation efficiency of the micro-sized hydrocyclone is significantly affected by the gap structure after miniaturization, and the relevant laws are not yet clear.This study focuses on the dual-inlet micro hydrocyclone and uses PVC microplastic particles with a particle size of 15 μm as the separated subject, with deionized water as the continuous phase to prepare a suspension with a concentration of 100 mg/L. The methods of experimental design (DOE), computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation, and experimental verification are employed to systematically investigate the effects of four key geometric parameters (gap insertion at the upper boundary (s), gap insertion at the lower boundary (l), gap diameter (Dh), and gap width (w)) on the separation performance. The results show that the gap width has the most significant impact on the separation efficiency; when w=3.2 mm, s=7 mm, l=12.4 mm, and Dh=7.5 mm, the separation efficiency reaches 95.57%. The combined method of DOE and CFD has good applicability in optimizing the structure of the hydrocyclone; the experimental verification shows that the separation performance of the optimized micro hydrocyclone has significantly improved. The study reveals the influence laws of gap structure parameters on the separation efficiency and internal flow field of microplastics, providing theoretical basis and practical guidance for the engineering design of micro hydrocyclones for treating microplastic particles.
  • Study on the Efficiency and Mechanism of Enhanced Degradation of Typical Drugs by Ozone Micro-nano Bubbles
    LUO Chao, CHEN Shigang, ZHANG Xiaoyu, YU Chaofan, GUO Xiaoxue, KONG Fanxin
    Technology of Water Treatment. 2026, 52(8): 138-145.
    Abstract | Download PDF ( ) Cite this Article Knowledge map Save
    To address the issues of low mass transfer efficiency and insufficient oxidation performance of conventional ozone (O3), this study systematically compared the mass transfer coefficient (KLa) and hydroxyl radical (∙OH) exposure of ozone-micro-nanobubbles (O3-MNB) and traditional O3 systems. The results showed that compared with the conventional O3 system, the O3 -MNB system achieved 1.13~1.42 times the KLa , 1.07~1.77 times the saturated O3 concentration, 1.89~2.26 times the ozone utilization rate, and 1.31~1.40 times the ∙OH exposure, indicating that micro-nanobubbles significantly enhanced O3 mass transfer and promoted ∙OH generation. Kinetic studies demonstrated that O3-MNB enhanced the degradation kinetics of sulfadiazine and sulpiride by 3~15-fold compared with conventional O3, and improved the kinetic constants of recalcitrant metformin by 3~6-fold. Pilot-scale tests demonstrated that the O3-MNB system reduced the O3/COD and O3/TOC ratios and enhanced the removal of proteinaceous organic matter. The synergistic mechanism of O3-MNB system was elucidated from the perspectives of mass transfer enhancement and free radical generation, providing a theoretical basis for the engineering treatment of emerging contaminants.
  • Synthesis of Bimetallic Fe-Co Single-Atom Electrodes and Its Application in Electro-Fenton Treatment of Pharmaceutical Wastewater
    ZHOU Zhiyi, XU Anlin
    Technology of Water Treatment. 2026, 52(8): 146-152.
    Abstract | Download PDF ( ) Cite this Article Knowledge map Save
    The secondary effluent from a wastewater treatment plant in Taizhou, Jiangsu Province contains various antibiotics, with ofloxacin (OFL) exhibiting the highest concentration (0.45~1 300 μg/L). Thus, there is an urgent need to develop efficient and environmentally friendly technologies for treating wastewater containing refractory emerging pollutants. In this study, a carbon-based catalyst with atomically dispersed Fe-Co bimetallic sites (FeCo-N-CNTs) was prepared via the metal chelation-pyrolysis method. This catalyst was then used to fabricate electrodes for the advanced treatment of OFL in an electro-Fenton (EF) system. This study investigated the effects of electrode preparation parameters—including carbon nanotube (CNT) diameter and catalyst loading—on OFL degradation efficiency. Subsequently, the EF system was applied to further treat secondary effluent from an industrial park, achieving an OFL removal rate of up to 92.9%. This study demonstrates that FeCo-N-CNTs can be applied in EF systems and exhibits significant application prospects in the field of antibiotic pollutant remediation.
  • Preparation of Cu-Fe Bimetallic MOF Derivatives and Their Activation of PMS for Antibiotic Degradation
    LIU Chaofan, ZHOU Zizhen, HUANG Xiao, LIU Jiaqiang, LIU Chao
    Technology of Water Treatment. 2026, 52(8): 153-160.
    Abstract | Download PDF ( ) Cite this Article Knowledge map Save
    In this study, Fe/Cu bimetallic - organic framework (Fe/Cu-MOF) - derived catalysts (FexCuCNS-y) were prepared through a hydrothermal method combined with pyrolysis under a nitrogen atmosphere and applied to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for the removal of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) from aqueous solutions. X - ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, and other techniques were employed to characterize their structure and morphology. The main phase of the derived material is Fe3O4, with rod-like and spindle-shaped frameworks as the primary morphologies. Meanwhile, particles of varying sizes are attached to the frameworks.The effects of the Fe/Cu molar ratio and pyrolysis temperature on catalytic performance were investigated. The results show that the derivative with a Fe/Cu molar ratio of 3:1 and a pyrolysis temperature of 650 ℃ (Fe3CuCNS-650) exhibits the optimal catalytic performance. The reaction system exhibits excellent performance under acidic and neutral conditions. When the PMS concentration is 0.65 mmol/L, the catalyst dosage is 100 mg/L, the pH value is 7.0, and the SMX concentration is 10 mg/L, the SMX removal rate reaches 100% within 60 minutes. This catalyst has a wide applicable pH range and strong resistance to Cl- and SO42- interference. It maintains 94.7% activity after 3 cycles and shows no leaching of metal ions. Free radical scavenging experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analysis confirm that the main active species in the system are SO4·-,·OH and 1O2, and the catalytic mechanism is clarified. The Fe3CuCNS-650 prepared in this study provides a highly efficient and stable catalytic material for the treatment of low-concentration antibiotic wastewater, and also offers experimental references for the performance optimization of iron-based metal-organic framework (MOF) derivatives and the design of bimetallic catalytic systems.
  • Nitrogen-Doped BiOBr for Efficient Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalytic Degradation of Tetracycline Hydrochloride
    SI Dongyu, XIANG Puye, LUO Yi, YANG Xinhui, LI Guangbi
    Technology of Water Treatment. 2026, 52(8): 161-167.
    Abstract | Download PDF ( ) Cite this Article Knowledge map Save
    Nitrogen-doped bismuth oxybromide nanosheets were successfully prepared by a simple one-step hydrothermal method using urea as a nitrogen source. The effects of different nitrogen doping amounts on their morphology, structure, photoelectrochemical properties, and visible-light photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride were systematically investigated. The experimental results show that an appropriate amount of nitrogen doping (N9-BiOBr) can significantly reduce the size of BiOBr, increase the specific surface area (up to 23.2 m²/g), and induce lattice expansion and band structure optimization. Under visible light irradiation, N₉-BiOBr achieved a tetracycline degradation efficiency of 99.1% within 60 min, and its reaction rate constant (k=0.076 5 min-1) was 2.8 times that of pure BiOBr. Based on XPS analysis, DFT calculations, and active species trapping experiments, it was found that nitrogen doping not only enhanced the adsorption capacity of H2O and O2 on the catalyst surface, but also promoted the separation and migration of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. The main active species were photogenerated holes (h⁺) and superoxide radicals (O2•-). This study provides a theoretical basis and experimental reference for the design of high-efficiency non-metal-doped bismuth oxyhalide photocatalysts.
  • Degradation of Tetracycline by Mn-Doped Geopolymer Activated Persulfate
    WANG Yanrong, ZHU Chaoqun, ZHAO Congshuo, LI Yinghua
    Technology of Water Treatment. 2026, 52(8): 168-174.
    Abstract | Download PDF ( ) Cite this Article Knowledge map Save
    Mn-doped Iron Tailings-Geopolymer Composites (Mn/ITGs) are made from iron tailings (IT) and metakaolin (MK) as raw materials, and the degradation performance and practical application potential of geopolymer-based catalytic materials have been systematically investigated. Characterization revealed that geopolymer composite materials with porous structures and multi-valent manganese active sites were successfully prepared using a simple alkaline-activated sol-gel method. The catalytic mechanism of activated peroxymonosulphate (PMS)-based Fenton degradation of tetracycline was also investigated.Experiments investigated the effects of pH, PMS concentration, and tetracycline concentration on the tetracycline degradation process. The results showed that when the Mn doping content was 10%, the catalyst dosage was 0.6 g/L, the PMS concentration was 0.2 g/L, and the initial tetracycline concentration was 15 mg/L, the degradation rate could reach over 90% within 60 minutes, significantly outperforming the traditional Fenton system.In this system, manganese serves as the primary active site, highly dispersed within the geopolymer matrix. The valence state cycling of Mn2+/Mn3+ species effectively drives the generation of reactive oxygen species ∙OH and SO4∙- by the Mn/ITGs/PMS system, which constitutes the primary reaction mechanism of the catalytic process.
  • Efficiency and Mechanism of Micro Flocculation Enhanced Filtration for Removing Microplastics from Water
    WANG Shan, GAO Jiaxin, FENG Yiwei, JIA Ruibao, XU Yingxin, ZHANG Kefeng
    Technology of Water Treatment. 2026, 52(8): 175-181.
    Abstract | Download PDF ( ) Cite this Article Knowledge map Save
    Microplastic pollution is widely present in water environments, and some microplastic particles (MPs) can even penetrate water treatment systems, posing a potential threat to drinking water safety and human health. Particle filtration, as the core unit process for removing particulate matter in drinking water treatment, is crucial for controlling MPs pollution in drinking water. This study systematically investigated the removal efficiency of MPs from different materials (polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polystyrene (PS)) and particle sizes using different filtration media (homogeneous quartz sand, activated carbon, carbon sand), filtration rates, and micro flocculation filter aids. The results showed that the removal efficiency of MPs by activated carbon was significantly better than that of quartz sand, mainly due to its high specific surface area and developed pore structure, which were achieved through the synergistic effect of surface adsorption and pore filling; The removal rate of MPs increases with the increase of particle size, and the removal effect of PMMA is better than that of PS, which is mainly regulated by multiple factors such as electrostatic effects and physical interception; The increase in filtration rate will significantly reduce the removal of MPs by the filter layer. When the contact time of the empty bed is shortened from 15 min to 10 min, the removal rate of microplastics by the activated carbon filter column decreases from 64% to 28%; Micro flocculation pretreatment can significantly enhance filtration performance, with cationic polymer poly dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride(PDMDAAC) achieving a removal rate of up to 99.6% for PS particles. The main mechanism of action is the synergistic effect of charge neutralization, adsorption bridging, and adhesion. Micro flocculation enhanced filtration can effectively improve the removal efficiency of microplastics, and the research results can provide theoretical basis and technical support for the control of microplastic pollution in drinking water.
  • Removal of Benzotriazole from Water by Ozone Enhanced with Micro-Nano Bubbles
    YU Shu, PENG Li, SUN Xin, DUAN Gaoqi
    Technology of Water Treatment. 2026, 52(8): 182-188.
    Abstract | Download PDF ( ) Cite this Article Knowledge map Save
    In this study, a high-pressure dissolved-gas micro-nano bubble aerator was used to compare the enhanced removal of benzotriazole (BTri) by micro-nano ozone aeration and microporous ozone aeration. Under the same gas flow rate and ozone dose, the particle size of ozone bubbles generated by micro-nano aeration was significantly smaller than that generated by microporous aeration. The micron-scale bubbles were mainly distributed in the range of 10~350 μm, and the nano-scale bubbles were mainly distributed in the range of 90~140 nm, whereas the bubbles produced by microporous aeration were distributed in the range of 240~10 000 μm and no nano-scale bubbles were detected. Compared with microporous aeration, micro-nano aeration increased ozone solubility, ozone self-decomposition rate and ·OH production by 2.5, 3.2 and 2.3 times, respectively. The BTri removal efficiency in the micro-nano aeration system was higher than that in the microporous aeration system. The initial BTri concentration and system temperature had greater effects on BTri removal, whereas pH and common anions (NO3-, Cl- and SO42-) had limited effects. Radical-quenching experiments indicated that ·OH generated from ozone self-decomposition played a dominant role in BTri removal under micro-nano aeration conditions.
Administrated:
China National BlueStar (Group) Co., Ltd
Sponsored by:
Hangzhou Water Treatment Technology Development Center Co., Ltd
Publisher：
Editorial Department of “Technology of Water Treatment”
Chief Editor：
Gao Congjie (Academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering)
Editor in Chief：Wang Qi
The Journal Selected in:
A National Core Journal in Chinese
A Dual-Benefit Journal of Chinese Journal Phalanx
National Journal of Scientific and Technological Papers Statistical Source
Source Journal of China Science Citation Database
RCCSE Chinese Core Academic Journals (A)
Chinese Academic Journal (CD-ROM)
China Journal Net
China Science and Technology Journal Database
Chemical Abstract (CA)
Japan Information Center of Science and Technology (JICST)
Cambridge Scientific Abstracts: Natural Sciences (CSA:NS)
Excellent Journals in East China
Top 100 Journals in the National Petroleum and Chemical Industry, etc
浙ICP备2023017230号-1
Copyright © Technology of Water Treatment
Tel: 0571-88935417/88935347　E-mail: editor@chinawatertech.com
Powered by Beijing Magtech Co., Ltd.