Ru single atom catalyst with dual reaction sites for efficient fenton-like degradation of organic contaminants

Recently, Fenton-like reaction based on peroxymonosulfate (PMS) has been recognized as a potential alternative for the degradation of organic pollutants. Herein, a high-efficiency and stable catalyst comprised of single Ru atoms dispersed on N-doped carbon (RuSA-N-C) is synthesized by solvothermal strategy. RuSA-N-C could effectively activate PMS for the degradation of azide dyes (Orange Ⅱ), compared with Ru-nanoparticle-loaded catalysts. Free radical scavenging experiments and density functional theory have displayed that singlet oxygen (1O2) produced by Ru-N4 sites are the main reactive oxygen species for the degradation of Orange Ⅱ. Meanwhile, the adjacent pyridinic N acts as the adsorption sites to anchor Orange Ⅱ. The ultra-high catalytic activity of RuSA-N-C mainly derivate from its distinctive dual reaction sites, which significantly shorten the migration distance from 1O2 to the adsorbed Orange Ⅱ molecules. This study provides a potential RuSA-N-C/PMS system for the high-efficiency sewage treatment.