Emerging investigator series: hetero-phase junction 1T/2H-MoS₂ nanosheets decorated by FeOOH nanoparticles for enhanced visible light photo-Fenton degradation of antibiotics

The photo-Fenton system is considered to be an economical and environmentally-friendly way to remove organic pollutants in the aquatic environment. However, slow electron transfer and retarded Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ conversion have hampered its practical applications. Herein, we designed and prepared the hetero-phase junction 1T/2H-MoS₂@FeOOH, effectively enhancing the photo-Fenton degradation efficiency by 3.25-fold compared to FeOOH alone. Theoretical calculations demonstrated that the 1T/2H-MoS₂ hetero-phase junction features mid-gap states and a narrower band gap, enabling broader visible-light absorption and quicker electron transport. Additionally, the application of 1T/2H-MoS₂@FeOOH resulted in Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ and Mo⁴⁺/Mo⁶⁺ dual reaction sites, which were beneficial for the sufficient activation of H₂O₂ to HO₂˙. HO₂˙-dominated degradation pathways and mechanisms were revealed to provide new insights for developing advanced oxidation processes to effectively remove emerging contaminants.