One-step self-assembly of Fe-biochar composite for enhanced persulfate activation to phenol degradation: Different active sites-induced radical/non-radical mechanism

Persulfate (PS) activation by nanoscale zerovalent iron (nZVI) is promising for water purification, while is limited due to its easy agglomeration and oxidation. Herein, nZVI encapsuled in carbon matrix shell was synthesized via one-step carbothermal reduction. The core-shell structure effectively inhibited oxidation and agglomeration of nZVI core, and graphitized porous structures facilitated phenol binding with maximal adsorption capacity of 117.10 mg/g achieved by nZVI0.6-BC800. Both reactive oxygen species (SO4•−, O•H, O2•− and 1O2) and electron transfer process resulted in phenol decomposition. Owing to diversified active sites, the nZVI0.6-BC800/PS system could completely degrade phenol degradation within short time, and exhibited great adaptation to extensive pH range (3.0–9.0) and coexisting substances. Additionally, the nZVI0.6-BC800/PS system could maintain over 85% removal of phenol after three recycles or 50 days of storage, and was highly-efficient to different water environments, thus proposing rational design of iron-carbon catalyst with potential in water treatment.