Persulfate activation by nanoscale metal- and carbon-based catalysts

[Nanoscale Material-based AOP]

[Nanoscale Material Synthesis]

[Mechanistic Study]

Our group currently explore the potentials of metal- and carbon-based nanomaterials for heterogeneous catalytic persulfate activation that represents diverse technical approaches to promote the oxidizing capacity of peroxymonosulfate and peroxydisulfate via radical and non-radical oxidant production. Apart from the classic concept of persulfate activation (typically performed via peroxide bond cleavage leading to sulfate radical generation), we recently demonstrated the progress of non-radical organic oxidation during persulfate activation, in which electrically conductive metal- or carbon-based materials mediated the transfer of electrons from organic contaminants as electron donors to persulfate molecules as electron acceptors. The persulfate-mediated two-electron redox reactions over transition metal catalysts lead to the formation of high-valent metal species as reactive non-radical intermediates.