Modulation of active sites to promote the electrochemical reduction of Hg2+ by Co doped 1T-MoS2 from wastewater

As a highly toxic heavy metal, mercury is bioaccumulative and persistent, causing environment pollution and posing potential risks to human health. This study focuses on Hg 2+ in aquatic environments and proposes an electrochemical method to reduce and recycle of Hg 2+ , aiming to mitigate mercury pollution and prevent ecological risks associated with mercury methylation. A graphite felt(GF) composite electrode incorporating Co-doped molybdenum disulfide(Co/MoS 2 @GF) was developed for efficient Hg 2+ removal from wastewater, which was synthesized by a one-step solvothermal method. The Co/MoS 2 @GF(n(Mo):n(Co) = 12:1) electrode achieved 95.0 % Hg 2+ removal efficiency in its initial use, and maintained a consistent Hg 2+ removal efficiency over 87.0 % after five reuse cycles, demonstrating high mercury removal capability and remarkable stability. The Co doping optimized the material’s surface morphology and electronic structure. This modification increased the number of active sites that can generate a large amount of active hydrogen(H*), significantly enhancing mercury reduction efficiency. We determined the optimal reaction conditions for the electrode through influencing factors analysis. The design electrochemical reduction system combines facile synthesis with environmental compatibility, providing a technologically relevant strategy for mercury-contaminated wastewater remediation and concurrent mercury resource recovery, demonstrating significant application potential.