Nanoconfined Catalysts for Persulfate-Based Fenton-Like Oxidation: Mechanisms, Selectivity, and Environmental...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Catalysis

Background:

• Persulfate (PS)-based Fenton-like advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) show promise for degrading emerging pollutants.
• Current limitations include low PS utilization, uncontrolled reactive species generation, and poor catalyst durability.
• Nanoconfinement engineering offers a solution by tailoring the nanoscale catalytic environment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in nanoconfined catalysts for PS-based AOPs.
• To analyze how nanoconfinement enhances catalytic performance and provides mechanistic understanding.
• To summarize strategies for selective regulation of radical and non-radical pathways.

Main Methods:

• Review of nanoconfined metallic atomic, nanocluster, nanoparticle, and compound catalysts.
• Analysis of nanoconfinement effects on active site dispersion, reaction dynamics, electronic structure, selectivity, and stability.
• Investigation of nanoconfinement's role in regulating radical and non-radical pathways.

Main Results:

• Nanoconfined catalysts significantly improve PS utilization efficiency, reactive species control, and catalyst durability.
• Confinement enhances active site dispersion, optimizes reaction dynamics, and modifies electronic structures.
• Selective regulation of radical and non-radical pathways leads to improved oxidation selectivity and robustness in complex matrices.

Conclusions:

• Nanoconfinement engineering is a powerful strategy to overcome limitations in PS-based AOPs.
• Further research is needed for precise structure control, deeper mechanistic understanding, and large-scale implementation.
• Rational design of nanoconfined catalysts holds significant potential for sustainable water treatment.