Construction of triphase interface for catalytic ozonation of polluted water

The utilization efficiency of ozone determines the cost of catalytic ozonation in water treatment. Herein, a triphase catalytic system was constructed by aerating ozone through a CeO2 loaded Al2O3 ceramic membrane (CeO2-CM) for disinfection and antibiotic degradation. Ozone aeration and a packed catalyst system (CeO2-Packing) were set as the controls. Results showed that CeO2-CM reduced the ozone escape by 34.6%–56.2%. The ozone utilization capacity of CeO2-CM for E. coli inactivation was 33.1% and 33.8% higher than those of CeO2-Packing and ozone aeration, respectively. The ozone utilization capacity of CeO2-CM for sulfamethoxazole degradation was 88.5% and 183.1% higher than those of CeO2-Packing and ozone aeration, respectively. CeO2-CM, with the lowest ozone escape and highest ozone utilization efficiency, significantly enhanced the performance of catalytic ozonation in disinfection and antibiotic degradation. This work proposes a feasible strategy for minimizing ozone consumption in water treatment. [Display omitted] •A triphase interface catalytic ozonation system was created.•CeO2-CM triphase interface increased the conversion of ozone to HO∙.•CeO2-CM triphase interface improved ozone dissolution.•CeO2-CM triphase interface performed better in disinfection than packed system.•CeO2-CM triphase interface showed advance in antibiotic degradation.