Long-range interactions driving neighboring Fe–N4 sites in Fenton-like reactions for sustainable water decontamination

Zelin Wu, Zhaokun Xiong, Bingkun Huang, Gang Yao, Sihui Zhan () and Bo Lai ()
Additional contact information
Zelin Wu: Sichuan University
Zhaokun Xiong: Sichuan University
Bingkun Huang: Sichuan University
Gang Yao: Sichuan University
Sihui Zhan: Nankai University
Bo Lai: Sichuan University

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Actualizing efficient and sustainable environmental catalysis is essential in global water pollution control. The single-atom Fenton-like process, as a promising technique, suffers from reducing potential environmental impacts of single-atom catalysts (SACs) synthesis and modulating functionalized species beyond the first coordination shell. Herein, we devised a high-performance SAC possessing impressive Fenton-like reactivity and extended stability by constructing abundant intrinsic topological defects within carbon planes anchored with Fe−N4 sites. Coupling atomic Fe−N4 moieties and adjacent intrinsic defects provides potent synergistic interaction. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the intrinsic defects optimize the d-band electronic structure of neighboring Fe centers through long-range interactions, consequently boosting the intrinsic activity of Fe−N4 sites. Life cycle assessment and long-term steady operation at the device level indicate promising industrial-scale treatment capability for actual wastewater. This work emphasizes the feasibility of synergistic defect engineering for refining single-atom Fenton-like chemistry and inspires rational materials design toward sustainable environmental remediation.

Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-52074-2 Abstract (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-52074-2

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
https://www.nature.com/ncomms/

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-52074-2

Access Statistics for this article

Nature Communications is currently edited by Nathalie Le Bot, Enda Bergin and Fiona Gillespie

More articles in Nature Communications from Nature
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sonal Shukla () and Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing ().