Regulating Radical-Nonradical Pathways via Phosphorus-Engineered Cobalt Nanocatalysts for Fenton-Like Oxidation

Area of Science:

• Environmental Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Catalysis

Background:

• Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) face challenges in controlling radical and nonradical pathways for efficient pollutant degradation.
• Precise control over efficiency and selectivity is crucial for various degradation needs in water treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize phosphated cobalt-based nanocomposites (CoP@NC) for activating peroxymonosulfate (PMS).
• To enable switching between radical and nonradical pathways in a Fenton-like system via phosphorus defects.
• To enhance electronic transfer and lower activation barriers for improved PMS activation.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of phosphated cobalt-based nanocomposites (CoP@NC).
• Activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) using CoP@NC in a Fenton-like system.
• Investigation of reaction pathways (radical vs. nonradical) and catalytic performance.
• Assessment of pollutant degradation efficiency, PMS utilization, and operational stability.

Main Results:

• Phosphorization on CoNC enhanced electronic transfer and lowered activation barriers, boosting PMS activation.
• Defective electrons increased singlet oxygen generation, leading to high organic pollutant decomposition (normalized k-value up to 1515 min⁻¹ M⁻¹).
• The system demonstrated exceptional degradation of electron-rich contaminants (methyl orange, tetracycline) with high PMS utilization and stability across various conditions.

Conclusions:

• CoP@NC effectively activates PMS, enabling efficient pollutant degradation through singlet oxygen generation.
• The developed Fenton-like system shows promise for industrial-scale wastewater treatment due to its efficiency, stability, and adaptability.
• This study provides insights for designing advanced Fenton-like catalysts for sustainable water purification.