Synergistic PMS activation by N-bridged spider-web-like nanocopper wires on kapok-derived carbon for efficient removal of organic pollutants

Transition metallic copper has garnered significant attention in advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) due to its exceptional ability to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) via redox cycling and electron transfer. Herein, spider-web-like Cu nanowires are stabilized on kapok-derived carbon-tubes by nitrogen-bridging, reduce charge transfer resistance. Unlike conventional nanoparticles, metallic Cu nanowires exist in the highly dispersed nanoweb structure along the carbon-tube surface. The Cu-N-C structure serves as the primary active site for PMS activation and boasts a tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) degradation rate that is 3.17 times higher than that of the KTC/PMS system, and it exhibits a stronger catalytic effect under alkaline conditions. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), particularly •O₂^- and ¹O₂, are the key contributors in the radical and non-radical degradation pathways, respectively. Our results reveal that the incorporation of nitrogen reduces the electron transfer resistance, while the Cu-N site formed by Cu and pyrrole nitrogen facilitates electron transfer and the activation of PMS. The activity recovery rate after the material undergoes recycling can reach 100 %. The toxicity experiments conducted on E. coli showed that the degradation products, the dosage of PMS, and the material itself have extremely low toxicity to E. coli. These results highlight the synergistic effect of N-bridging and spider-web Cu morphology in achieving efficient, sustainable, and practical PMS activation for environmental remediation.

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