Application of diatomite composite catalytic materials in organic wastewater treatment
YAN Liangguo
REN Liyao
YU Huan
YUAN Fanghui
TAN Xin
CAO Lingling
YU Zihan
SONG Wen
Abstract：Significance Advanced oxidation technology has garnered significant scientific and technological interest due to its excellent physical,mechanical,and chemical properties,making it highly promising for applications in water and air pollution treatment.Specifically,photocatalysis and persulfate activation catalysis stand out as highly effective methods for addressing environmental challenges,such as heavy metal ion removal,organic wastewater purification,and degradation of harmful airborne organic com-pounds.These techniques are widely recognized for their simplicity,high efficiency,and cost-effectiveness.However,despite these advantages,limitations remain,such as easy aggregation and instability of catalysts,which hinders the optimization of oxi-dation processes,driving the exploration of alternative catalytic materials.Among all the candidates,diatomite-based compos-ites have emerged as a popular choice for catalyst substrates.Derived from natural minerals,diatomite composites demonstrate excellent stability,high specific surface area,and superior chemical activity,making them a research hotspot in organic waste-water treatment over the past decade.These properties also position them as a transformative solution for enhancing the effi-ciency and sustainability of water treatment processes.
Progress In photocatalysis and persulfate activation,various modification methods have been employed to optimize the structure and properties of diatomite composite catalysts.In photocatalysis,diatomite composites typically incorporate bismuth-based semiconductors,TiO2,graphitic carbon nitride(g-C3N4),and metal compounds,synergistically enhancing photocatalytic per-formance.In persulfate activation,diatomite composites primarily serve as a support for metal bases,including cobalt(Co),iron(Fe),manganese(Mn),and cerium(Ce).As a photocatalytic material,diatomite forms an adsorption-photocatalytic col-laborative system,providing abundant active sites,enhancing light absorption,and improving photocatalytic efficiency by inhib-iting electron-hole recombination.As a carrier for bimetallic persulfate activation,diatomite synergizes with various transition metals,preventing metal ion agglomeration and leaching.Its unique interconnected porous structure and oxygen vacancies ensure low charge transport resistance,while creating numerous exposed edges and sharp corners.This structural arrangement significantly expands the material's accessible spaces and increases the number of active edge sites.Additionally,its open diffu-sion channels and abundant hydroxyl groups reduce the migration distance of reactive oxygen species(ROS),enhancing organic pollutant degradation efficiency.Diatomite composites exhibit remarkable degradation performance for various organic pollut-ants,including dyes,pesticides,antibiotics,and endocrine disruptors,achieving degradation rates of over 80％.Moreover,these composites demonstrate excellent recyclability and stability,making them highly suitable for practical applications.Their unique properties also facilitate their separation and recovery from treated water,ensuring sustainability and cost-effectiveness.
Conclusions and Prospects Over the past decade,significant progress has been made in diatomite composite catalytic materi-als,unlocking new applications.The incorporation of organic compounds,semiconductors,and metals into diatomite has improved its catalytic efficacy.Future research should focus on exploring synergistic effects in complex catalytic systems,refin-ing diatomite modification methods,optimizing their structure and performance,and leveraging multi-system cooperation pro-cesses.Integrating these composites with other environmental treatment technologies is also crucial.Although laboratory results are promising,maintaining high efficiency in actual applications with complex and variable water environments requires further studies.Moreover,exploring scalable and high-yield preparation methods for industrial production and application remains a key research focus.
Keywords：diatomiteorganic pollutantphotocatalysispersulfate
Publication Date：2025-07-01
Online Publishing Date：2026-05-22(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：12( 131-142 )