Accelerated Fe2+ Regeneration in an Effective Electro-Fenton Process by Boosting Internal Electron Transfer to a Nitrogen-Conjugated Fe(III) Complex

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c08018
• Publication Date: 2021-02-22T16:26:01Z
• Authors: Mingyue Liu; Zhiyuan Feng; Xinmiao Luan; Wenhai Chu; Hongying Zhao; Guohua Zhao
• Keywords: Carbon fibers

The regeneration rate of Fe2+ from Fe3+ dictates the performance electro-Fenton (EF) process, represented by amount produced hydroxyl radicals (·OH). Current strategies for acceleration normally require additional chemical reagents, to vary redox potential Fe2+/Fe3+. Here, we report an attempt at using intrinsic property electrode our advantage, i.e., nitrogen-doped carbon aerogel (NDCA), as a reducing agent without foreign reagents. Moreover, pyrrolic N in NDCA provides unpaired electrons through framework reduce Fe3+, while graphitic and pyridinic coordinate with form C–O–Fe–N2 bond, facilitating electron transfer both external circuit Fe3+. Our Fe2+/NDCA-EF system exhibits 5.8 ± 0.3 times higher performance, terms generated ·OH, than traditional Fenton same concentration. In subsequent reaction, demonstrates 100.0% removal dimethyl phthalate, 3-chlorophenol, bisphenol A, sulfamethoxazole low specific energy consumption 0.17–0.36 kW·h·g–1. Furthermore, 90.1 0.6% dissolved organic 83.3 0.9% NH3-N are achieved treatment domestic sewage. purpose this work is present novel strategy EF process also elucidate role different species carbonaceous contributing cycle