Reconstructing atomic Fe coordination in the PMS activation process to realize efficient BPA degradation at low temperature

Abstract

Improving the performance of single-atom catalysts (SACs) is still challenging in Fenton-like reactions for degrading refractory organic pollutants. Here, we designed P and N co-doped Fe SACs to regulate the electronic structure of Fe active sites and enhance the reaction kinetics of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation. The obtained heteroatom-doped Fe SACs for the first time exhibited an ultra-low activation energy (ca. 3.7 kJ mol⁻¹) and excellent degradation efficiency for bisphenol A (BPA) in a wide pH range (4.3–9.2). The superior reaction kinetics of the Fe SACs were attributed to enriching the electron density of atomic Fe and then forming dual electron-rich/-deficient sites, which accelerated the electron transformation to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study the heteroatom-doped Fe SACs with rapid reaction kinetics are achieved, and provides an idea to design SACs with superior performance in heterogeneous Fenton-like reactions.