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