Ferrous Fumarate‐Assisted In‐Situ Synthesis of Interlayer Fe Single Atoms on C 4 N 2 ‐Ring‐Rich G‐C 3 N 4 for Superior Photo‐Fenton‐Like Removal of Antibiotics
Abstract
ABSTRACT A bottom‐up strategy of ferrous fumarate‐assisted thermal polycondensation of molten urea is designed for the in‐situ synthesis of a C 4 N 2 ‐ring‐rich g‐C 3 N 4 ‐supported catalyst with interlayer Fe single atoms (Fe/FU‐CN). At an optimal Fe loading and a corresponding C doping level, 0.49% Fe/FU‐CN demonstrates superior visible‐light photo‐Fenton‐like catalytic performance against representative antibiotic pollutants. In the degradation of trimethoprim (TMP), the 0.49% Fe/FU‐CN/peroxymonosulfate (PMS) photo‐Fenton‐like system possesses superior apparent first‐order rate constants (0.148 min −1 ), which are 6.56 and 6.87 times higher than 0.49% Fe/FU‐CN Fenton‐like (0.023 min −1 ) and photocatalytic systems (0.022 min −1 ), respectively. Complete mineralization is achieved within 6 h. The excellent catalytic efficiency originates from the synergistic effect where C 4 N 2 rings suppress charge recombination, while interlayer Fe single atoms serve as electron capture and PMS activation centers. This synergy promotes directional electron transfer to Fe sites, accelerates ≡Fe(III) reduction, boosts PMS activation to generate abundant reactive species, thereby enabling deep oxidation of antibiotic pollutants. Furthermore, a custom‐designed continuous‐flow reactor fitted with the 0.49% Fe/FU‐CN/polyethersulfone catalytic membrane enables efficient and sustained TMP degradation, maintaining a 94.0% removal rate over 12 h. The combination of high activity and long‐term stability makes this catalytic system highly promising for practical wastewater treatment.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques
Advanced oxidation water treatment
TiO2 Photocatalysis and Solar Cells
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Advanced Sustainable Systems
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Volume
- 10
- Issue
- 7
- Publication date
- 1 July 2026
- Language
- EN