Regulating the reaction pathway of nZVI to improve the decontamination performance through magnetic spatial confinement effect

Nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) shows high effectiveness in the catalyzed removal of contaminants in wastewater treatment. However, the uncontrolled interfacial electron transfer behavior and formation of surface iron oxide (FeOx) layer led to severe electron wasting and occasionally form highly toxic intermediates. Here, we constructed magnetic mesoporous SiO2 shell on surface of nZVI to stimulate a magnetic spatial confinement effect and regulate the electron transfer pattern. Therein, Fe atom facilely spread out from the nZVI core, orderly release electron to surface adsorbed H2O molecule, which is efficiently transformed into active hydrogen (H*). Meanwhile, in-situ Raman revealed that Fe atoms were involved in the formation of penetrable gamma-FeOOH rather than FeOx layer, enabling the continuous inward diffusion of H2O and outward diffusion of H* . Employing the

Automated summary

This study investigates the effect of constructing a magnetic mesoporous SiO2 shell on the surface of nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI). The results show that this structure can regulate the electron transfer pattern, avoid the formation of iron oxide layers, and improve the efficiency of active hydrogen production.