Enhanced Chlorinated Pollutant Degradation by the Synergistic Effect between Dechlorination and Hydroxyl Radical Oxidation on a Bimetallic Single-Atom Catalyst.

Abstract

Chlorinated organic pollutants are highly toxic and widespread in the environment, which cause ecological risk and threaten the human health. Chlorinated pollutants are difficult to degrade and mineralize by the conventional advanced oxidation process as the C-Cl bond is resistant to reactive oxygen species oxidation. Herein, we designed a bifunctional Fe/Cu bimetallic single-atom catalyst anchored on N-doped porous carbon (FeCuSA-NPC) for the electro-Fenton process, in which chlorinated pollutants are dechlorinated on single-atom Cu and subsequently oxidized by the ·OH radical produced from O2 conversion on single-atom Fe. Benefitting from the synergistic effect between dechlorination on single-atom Cu and ·OH oxidation on single-atom Fe, the chlorinated organic pollutants can be efficiently degraded and mineralized. The mass activity for chlorinated organic pollutant degradation by FeCuSA-NPC is 545.1-1374 min-1 gmetal-1, excessing the highest value of the reported electrocatalyst. Moreover, FeCuSA-NPC is demonstrated to be pH-universal, long-term stable, and environment friendly. This work provides a new insight into the rational design of a bifunctional electrocatalyst for efficient removal of chlorinated organic pollutants.