Work

Turning the Inert Element Zinc into an Active Single‐Atom Catalyst for Efficient Fenton‐Like Chemistry

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: Amongst various Fenton‐like single‐atom catalysts (SACs), the zinc (Zn)‐related SACs have been barely reported due to the fully occupied 3d10configuration of Zn2+being inactive for the Fenton‐like reaction. Herein, the inert element Zn is turned into an active single‐atom catalyst (SA−Zn−NC) for Fenton‐like chemistry by forming an atomic Zn−N4coordination structure. The SA−Zn−NC shows admirable Fenton‐like activity in organic pollutant remediation, including self‐oxidation and catalytic degradation by superoxide radical (O2⋅−) and singlet oxygen (1O2). Experimental and theoretical results unveiled that the single‐atomic Zn−N4site with electron acquisition can transfer electrons donated by electron‐rich pollutants and low‐concentration PMS toward dissolved oxygen (DO) to actuate DO reduction into O2⋅−and successive conversion into1O2. This work inspires an exploration of efficient and stable Fenton‐like SACs for sustainable and resource‐saving environmental applications.

Source: Angewandte Chemie

DOI: 10.1002/ange.202219178