Fe-CN activated peracetic acid system achieving hydroxyl radical-dominated degradation of organic pollutants

Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) based on peracetic acid (PAA) are widely employed for water purification; however, conventional PAA activation methods often exhibit low efficiency in generating hydroxyl radicals (•OH). Herein, a carbon nitride-supported Fe single atom catalyst (Fe-CN) is employed to activate PAA, achieving efficient degradation of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP). Experimental analyses confirmed that •OH is the predominant reactive species responsible for degradation. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations and in-situ Raman spectroscopy revealed that Fe-CN selectively adsorbs peroxy oxygen atoms from PAA, promoting O-O bond cleavage and •OH formation. The system demonstrated robust stability across a wide pH range, resistance to ionic interference, and high efficiency in natural water matrices. This work provides novel insights into •OH-dominated PAA-based AOPs for sustainable wastewater treatment.