Scalable
applications of precious-metal catalysts for water treatment
face obstacles in H2-transfer efficiency and catalyst stability
during continuous operation. Here, we introduce a H2-based
membrane catalyst-film reactor (H2-MCfR), which enables
in situ reduction and immobilization of a film of heterogeneous Pd0 catalysts that are stably anchored on the exterior of a nonporous
H2-transfer membrane under ambient conditions. In situ
immobilization had >95% yield of Pd0 in controllable
forms,
from isolated single atoms to moderately agglomerated nanoparticles
(averaging 3–4 nm). A series of batch tests documented rapid
Pd-catalyzed reduction of a wide spectrum of oxyanions (nonmetal and
metal) and organics (e.g., industrial raw materials, solvents, refrigerants,
and explosives) at room temperature, owing to accurately controlled
H2 supply on demand. Reduction kinetics and selectivity
were readily controlled through the Pd0 loading on the
membranes, H2 pressure, and pH. A 45-day continuous treatment
of trichloroethene (TCE)-contaminated water documented removal fluxes
up to 120 mg-TCE/m2/d with over 90% selectivity to ethane
and minimal (<1.5%) catalyst leaching or deactivation. The results
support that the H2-MCfR is a potentially sustainable and
reliable catalytic platform for reducing oxidized water contaminants:
simple synthesis of an active and versatile catalyst that has long-term
stability during continuous operation.