Abstract
Peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation generates potent reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as sulfate radical (SO4·–) and hydroxyl radical (·OH), which play a key role in organic pollutant degradation. However, controlling the generation of these free radicals remains challenging. In this study, various metal (Co, Ni, and Cu)-doped nitrogen carbon compounds (NCs) were synthesized, and their performance in PMS activation under electric field regulation was explored to modulate ROS production for selective pollutant degradation. Bisphenol A (BPA), a readily degradable compound, and ibuprofen (IBU), a recalcitrant pollutant, were chosen as model pollutants to assess degradation efficiency. All catalysts achieved over 95% BPA removal without the electric field, but the application of an electric field significantly accelerated BPA degradation, achieving complete removal within 3min. In contrast, IBU degradation showed significant variation depending on the catalyst used and the electric field intensity, with Cu-NC demonstrating the highest performance, enhancing the degradation rate by 3.78-fold. Mechanistic studies revealed that the electric field altered the electron density on the catalyst surface, shifting ROS production from SO4·– to ·OH in Co-NC systems. The findings could provide valuable insights into PMS activation under electric field regulation, offering a novel strategy for enhancing micropollutant removal through controlled ROS generation.
Published Version
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