Anchoring cobalt dual-atom pairs on open hollow-structured carbon via a facile in-situ synthetic strategy for enhanced advanced oxidation processes

Zhinan Fu, Wenxin Xia, Weihua Wang, Xin Liu, Yixing Wang, Lihui Zhou, Kuanwen Wang, Sheng Dai, Xuhong Guo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Atomically dispersed catalysts offer unprecedented opportunities for high-efficiency Fenton-like oxidation of organic pollutants in water. However, the hazardous metal leaching of atomically dispersed catalysts hinders their practical application for wastewater treatment, while the inaccessible interior active sites in carbon substrates have been commonly overlooked. Herein, we develop a straightforward approach for tightly anchoring cobalt dual-atom pairs on nitrogen-doped open hollow carbon structure (Co-NOHC) via an in-situ polyelectrolyte nanosphere-guided strategy. The unique open hollow carbon structure benefits the electron/mass transfer and maximizes the exposure of active sites. As a result, the as-synthesized Co-NOHC exhibits outstanding peroxymonosulfate activation activity and Fenton-like performance in oxidation by taking rhodamine B degradation as an example. Remarkably, the turnover frequency of the Co-NOHC is 6.5, 26.5, and 9.3 times higher than that of the Co2+, cobalt, and its oxides, respectively, and its catalytic activity also greatly outperforms the pristine zeolitic-imidazole frameworks derived Co-based atomically dispersed catalysts. More importantly, benefitted from the stable anchoring of cobalt dual atoms, the Co2+ leaching from the Co-NOHC is greatly alleviated, as low as 0.1 mg/L after the catalytic reaction, showing outstanding stability as compared to most atomically dispersed catalysts. Furthermore, the reactive active species, including SO4[rad]−, [rad]OH and O2[rad]− radicals, and electron-transfer mechanism are demonstrated to dominate the rhodamine B removal. This work offers a new consideration for promoting the development of the advanced catalysts and their potential applications in advanced oxidation process.

Original languageEnglish
Article number129698
JournalSeparation and Purification Technology
Volume355
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 2025

Funding

The authors would like to acknowledge National Key Research and Development Program of China ( 2023YFD1700303 ), the National Natural Science Foundation of China ( 22376062 ), the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality ( 22ZR1415700 ), and China Scholarship Council (CSC) for financial support. Additional support was provided by the Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center and the Research Center of Analysis and Test at East China University of Science and Technology .

FundersFunder number
Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center
China Scholarship Council
National Key Research and Development Program of China2023YFD1700303
National Key Research and Development Program of China
National Natural Science Foundation of China22376062
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality22ZR1415700
Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality

    Keywords

    • Advanced oxidation processes
    • Atomically dispersed catalysts
    • Fenton-like process
    • Open hollow structure
    • Stability

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Anchoring cobalt dual-atom pairs on open hollow-structured carbon via a facile in-situ synthetic strategy for enhanced advanced oxidation processes'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this