Interfacial Proton‐Relay Microenvironment Enables Self‐Driven Singlet Oxygen Generation under Neutral Conditions

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Authors: Qiaoyu Gao, Xiaohui Dai, Jian Ye, Lili Li, Chenxiao Yu, Yuehan Jiang, Jiangdong Dai, Xiaohua Tian, Jun Liang Zhao, Jianming Pan
Cited by: 1
References: 49

Abstract

ABSTRACT The energy‐free activation of ambient molecular oxygen (O 2 ) to singlet oxygen ( 1 O 2 ) under neutral conditions is highly desirable for green oxidation chemistry, yet remains fundamentally limited by sluggish proton‐coupled *OOH formation and desorption. Here, we engineer an interfacial proton‐relay microenvironment between MoS 2 and CuCl that enables self‐driven O 2 ‐to‐ 1 O 2 conversion without external energy inputs. Electron‐deficient sulfur sites act as a proton reservoir by forming S‐H ads species, facilitating directional proton migration through Cu‐S‐Mo channels to activate adsorbed O 2 on electron‐rich Cu sites. This coupled electron‐proton relay accelerates *OOH hydrogenation while maintaining moderate *O2/*OOH binding, effectively suppressing O─O bond cleavage and favoring a 1O2‐dominated pathway. As a result, the system achieves quantitative pollutant removal and sustained operation for over 16 h in pilot‐scale membrane filtration. This interfacial design is broadly applicable to transition metal sulfides, offering a general strategy to overcome proton‐transfer limitations and advance autonomous catalytic platforms for sustainable oxidation and environmental remediation.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques Advanced oxidation water treatment

Publication details

Journal / source
Advanced Science
Publisher
Wiley
Volume
13
Issue
49
Pages
e76027–e76027
Publication date
10 June 2026
Language
EN