A new integrated approach for dye removal from wastewater by polyoxometalates functionalized membranes

[Display omitted] •A new integrated approach for dye removal was developed.•A POMs bi-functionalized (adsorptive and catalytic) membrane was fabricated.•A novel sol–gel method was proposed for POMs incorporation with membrane.•An excellent dye rejection with economic membrane regeneration was realized.•The selection of POMs is flexible for the distinct design of catalytic degradation. Membrane technique is a promising way for the removal of dyes from wastewater. A unique approach combining both the adsorptive and the catalytic membrane processes was proposed on the basis of a new functionalized membrane. The membrane integrating both the adsorptive and catalytic activities was developed by introducing polyoxometalates (POMs) as an ideal candidate for the membrane functionalization via a novel sol–gel method. A two-step protocol, adsorptive separation and catalytic degradation, was designed for dye removal, realizing an excellent dye rejection with easy and economic membrane regeneration through simply soaking the membrane in a limited volume of dilute oxidant solution. This approach is feasible and versatile owing to the flexible selection of distinct POMs and design of catalytic degradation routes as required. As a result, the current research provides insight into a new methodology of the membrane technique in dye removal applications.