Carbon defects-enriched NBC-CN@CoMn with ultrafast modulation of redox couples for efficient degradation of contaminant.

The inefficiency of catalysts in sulfate radical-based advanced oxidation processes (SR-AOPs) is primarily attributed to the sluggish circulation of redox couples. Herein, a carbon defects-enriched NBC-CN@CoMn (NCC) was synthesized through a self-assembly approach. The carbon defects within the NCC induce the electron trap effect, thereby facilitating the efficient cycling of redox couples in photo-Fenton-like processes during contaminant degradation. This effect enables the self-regeneration of the NCC catalyst. The reductive redox couples (Co (II) and Mn (II)) are continuously regenerated following the degradation process. Within the NCC, CoMn layered double hydroxides (LDHs) act as primary active sites, promoting the generation of hydroxyl radicals (•OH), sulfate radicals (SO) and singlet oxygen (O) through continuous electron gain and loss. Additionally, the internal electric field established within the NCC further accelerates electron transfer. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations confirm that the carbon defects-enriched NCC exhibits lower adsorption energies and higher electron transfer efficiencies than carbon defect-deficient NCC. This study introduces a novel photocatalyst with self-regenerating capabilities, presenting an innovative approach to regulate redox couples in SR-AOPs for sustainable degradation.