In-situ production of singlet oxygen by dioxygen activation on iron phosphide for advanced oxidation processes

In this study, we delicately design a novel iron-based dioxygen activation system for sustainable production of 1O2 on iron phosphide (FeP). This is the first time to realize the 1O2 production on Fe-based dioxygen activation. Unlike traditional iron-based materials that only activate dioxygen, this delicately designed FeP can simultaneously activate dioxygen and adsorb some generated •OH. Those •OH can react with O2•−/HO2•. Thus, the •OH-mediated reaction can in-situ occur on the surface of FeP to rapidly produce 1O2. As a result, the FeP exhibits remarkably higher degradation activity for various organic pollutants and pollutants in real aquatic systems in absence of light, electricity and other oxidants. Therefore, this study provides a green strategy to generate 1O2 for environmental remediation and also demonstrates a new role of surface-bound •OH in contributing to the 1O2 production.