Boron regulates catalytic sites of biochar to enhance the formation of surface-confined complex for improved peroxydisulfate activation

Biochar has been developed to activate persulfate for wastewater treatment due to its carbon essence, easily available and low-cost. Efficiently active sites and interfacial electron transfer are highly desired for peroxydisulfate (PDS) activation. In this study, boronic ester structure and defect degree of boron-doped biochar are confirmed as activate sites to improve PDS activation. The performance of pollutants degradation is proven to have structure-activity relationships with both activate sites. Moreover, boron-doped biochar exhibits higher stability and oxidation potential by forming the surface-confined complex, promoting electron transfer from pollutants to complex. The optimized boron-doped biochar has the advantages of adapting to a broad pH range (2.9-10.0), strong resistance to Cl(- )and organic matters, a low activation energy of 11.22 kJ mol(-1), and achieving the decomposition of practical dyeing wastewater. Our work provides a promising approach to regulating the interfacial catalytic sites of biochar by doping heteroatom for PDS activation in practical wastewater treatment.

Automated summary

This study improves the activation of persulfate in wastewater treatment by doping boron into biochar, which enhances the degradation of pollutants. The optimized boron-doped biochar exhibits excellent stability and oxidation potential, making it a promising approach for practical wastewater treatment.