Interface coupling effect in biomass-derived iron sulfide nanomaterials triggering efficient hydrogen peroxide activation

Abstract

Slow electron migration in iron sulfide nanoparticles (C-FeS NPs) synthesized by co-precipitation severely limits the activation performance of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Herein, a biofunctional FeS NPs (P-FeS NPs) derived from Pinus massoniana Lamb biomass, with interface coupling effect, was used for enhanced H2O2 activation and norfloxacin (NOR) degradation. It was discovered that P-FeS NPs exhibited superior catalytic activity (100%) compared to C-FeS NPs (53.1%). Fe atoms of FeS NPs and hydroxyl groups (–OH) of Pinus massoniana Lamb biomass were mutually coupled to produce Fe-OH interfacial sites, which significantly increased the generation of multi-reactive species by accelerating the transfer of electrons across interfaces. Additionally, radical quenching tests elucidated that singlet oxygen (1O2) (66.6%) played a leading role, while hydroxyl radicals (•OH) (14.5%) and superoxide radicals (•O2–) (18.9%) were secondary oxidants. Finally, P-FeS NPs showed a high tolerance to a wide range of pH conditions and could remove 96.4% NOR from wastewater. Overall, this work generates important insights into understanding how green sustainable interfacial catalysts can accelerate catalytic activity.