Atomically Dispersed FeO <i> <sub>x</sub> </i> Species Functionalized Fe <sub>2</sub> O <sub>3</sub> Nano‐Island Clusters toward Efficient Fenton‐Like Catalysis
Mengxiang Zhu, Jia-Hong Lin, Meili Yuan, Yun‐Zhang Li, Nuo Cheng, Tao Ding, Jiewei Xiao, Kan Li, Chunxia Hong, Lihui Zhou, Miaomiao Wang, Yuanyuan Qu, Sheng Dai, Dongting Yue
Abstract
Abstract Iron‐based oxides, characterized by precisely engineered structural and surface properties, are extensively utilized as Fenton/Fenton‐like catalysts for water purification applications. Achieving atomic‐level control to simultaneously optimize catalytic processes and regulate the interplay between radical‐nonradical is highly desirable yet remains a significant challenge in FeO x ‐based Fenton‐like catalysis. In this study, a novel approach is demonstrated to manipulate atomically dispersed FeO x (reef) and Fe 2 O 3 nanoclusters (islands) through a laminated graphene (sea)‐controlled all‐solid‐state synthesis. The resulting “reef‐island‐sea” architecture, where atomically dispersed FeO x species are confined by Fe 2 O 3 nano‐island clusters (Fe 2 O 3 NCs) and graphene, simultaneously optimizes three critical Fenton‐like processes: peroxydisulfate adsorption, O─O bond activation, and reactive species desorption. This unique configuration of atomically dispersed FeO x @Fe 2 O 3 NCs@graphene serves as an integrated platform combining multifunctional active centers (oxygen vacancy‐rich Fe sites, C═O groups, and coordinatively unsaturated Fe species) to precisely modulate and enhance both radical and non‐radical pathways, thereby boosting Fenton‐like oxidation activity and stability. The graphene‐controlled all‐solid‐state strategy offers a promising avenue for constructing hybrid structures in monometallic catalysts, facilitating precise control over active sites for catalytic processes optimization and pathway regulation.