Mechanism of the application of single-atom catalyst-activated PMS/PDS to the degradation of organic pollutants in water environment: A review

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have attracted extensive attention from researchers due to their maximum atomic utilization, unique geometric configuration, and excellent activity and selectivity in a variety of catalytic reactions. In this review, the application of SAC-activated peroxymonosulfate (PMS) or peroxydisulfate (PDS) degradation of organic pollutants is summarized, including new synthesis methods and characterization techniques for SACs, as well as two mechanisms of activated PMS/PDS radical and nonradical degradation of organic compounds, and the future research directions such as updating new synthesis methods, development of multi-atomic catalysts and development of high-performance transition metals are proposed. In addition, the mechanism of SAC activation of PMS/PDS for the degradation of organic pollutants is analyzed and discussed in a relatively comprehensive way. Overall, this catalytic pathway has great prospects in aquatic environment remediation.