Dual-reaction center catalyst based on common metals Cu-Mg-Al for synergistic peroxymonosulfate adsorption-activation in Fenton-like process

To improve the peroxymonosulfate (PMS) utilization and the catalyst stability, a dual-reaction center catalyst, Cu-Mg0.388Al2.408O4-BN, was fabricated free of expensive rare metals. The presence of Mg leads to a positive-charged surface that was highly favorable for adsorbing bisphenol A (BPA) and PMS anions under neutral pH conditions. The relatively low electronegativity of Mg, together with the electronic compensation of cation-π between Cu and boron nitride (BN), resulted in the formation of the electron-rich Cu center. The combination of the electrostatic attraction and dual-reaction center led to the rapid degradation of BPA via a fast electron transfer step from BPA to the electron-rich Cu center, and then to PMS for effective activation. This unique design renders excellent reusability and stability of the catalyst by avoiding the redox cycle of Cu(I)/Cu(II). This research work opens new horizons to use common metals for efficient activation of PMS as economical alternatives over expensive rare metal catalysts in Fenton-like processes.