Tailoring single-atom FeN4 moieties as a robust heterogeneous catalyst for high-performance electro-Fenton treatment of organic pollutants

An iron single-atom catalyst, composed of robust FeN 4 moieties anchored on a nitrogen-doped porous carbon matrix (Fe-SAC/NC), has been developed via surfactant-coordinated metal-organic framework (MOF) approach for application in heterogeneous electro-Fenton (HEF) process. The cohesive interaction between the surfactant and MOF precursor enabled formation abundant stable moieties. Fe-SAC/NC-catalyzed HEF allowed complete degradation 2,4-dichlorophenol with low leaching (1.2 mg L -1 ), being superior to nanoparticle catalyst synthesized without surfactant. experiments density functional theory (DFT) calculations demonstrated dominant role sites activate electrogenerated H 2 O yielding • OH. dense harnessing modulated electronic structure SAC facilitate electron transfer, whereas adjacent pyrrolic N enhanced adsorption target organic pollutants. Moreover, excellent catalysis, recyclability viability Fe-SAC/NC were verified by treating several pollutants even urban wastewater. Synthesis N-doped effective treatment Simultaneous increase activity stability catalysts strategy Superiority over activation mechanism validated through DFT analysis High remarkable performance wastewater