Citation: Xinyun Zhang, Chenying Zhou, Jian Zhang, Minglu Sun, Yanbiao Shi, Chuanshu He, Xiaowei Huo, Yang Liu, Peng Zhou, Bo Lai. Molybdenum pentaboride mediated direct and indirect approaches for boosting Fenton-like activation of peroxymonosulfate towards water decontamination[J]. Chinese Chemical Letters, ;2026, 37(4): 111630. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111630 shu

Molybdenum pentaboride mediated direct and indirect approaches for boosting Fenton-like activation of peroxymonosulfate towards water decontamination

Xinyun Zhang ^{a, b} ,
Chenying Zhou ^{a, b} ,
Jian Zhang ^c ,
Minglu Sun ^{a, b, *,} ,
Yanbiao Shi ^{a, b} ,
Chuanshu He ^{a, b} ,
Xiaowei Huo ^d ,
Yang Liu ^{a, b} ,
Peng Zhou ^{a, b, *,} ,
Bo Lai ^{a, b}

a.
State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
b.
Sino-German Centre for Water and Health Research, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
c.
Sichuan Development Environmental Science and Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd., Chengdu 610095, China
d.
China Construction Third Engineering Bureau Group Southwest Co., Ltd., Chengdu 610200, China

sunminglu27@163.com

zhoup1219@sina.com

Received Date: 13 June 2025
Revised Date: 16 July 2025
Accepted Date: 23 July 2025
Available Online: 24 July 2025

Figures(6)

The Fenton-like activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) is an effective oxidation strategy for water decontamination, however, Fe(Ⅱ)-mediated Fenton-like reactions suffer from limitations of sluggish iron species cycling and iron sludge accumulation. Herein, molybdenum pentaboride (Mo₂B₅) was innovatively employed as a dual-functional co-catalyst to address these challenges via synergistically direct and indirect routes for activating PMS. Mo₂B₅ can promptly enhance Fe(Ⅲ)/PMS to entirely degrade sulfamethoxazole within 4 min, superior to conventional reducing agents and carbon-based co-catalysts. Based on mechanism investigations (reactive oxygen species analysis, iron species variation, surface chemistry characterizations), the distinctive electronic configuration of Mo₂B₅ can direct activate PMS for generating hydroxyl radical (^•OH), while simultaneously enhance Fe(Ⅱ) regeneration to facilitate subsequent Fenton-like processes to produce sulfate radicals (SO₄^•−) and ferryl species (Fe(Ⅳ)). The system thus demonstrated broad applicability for degrading diverse pollutants with high rate constants, while the substrate specific reactivities are dependent on the electron-donating capacities of pollutants. In addition, Mo₂B₅ exhibits exceptional stability over consecutive cycle tests, attributed to its self-cleaning surface and retained crystallinity.
- Molybdenum pentaboride,
- Peroxymonosulfate,
- Fenton-like oxidation,
- Reactive oxygen species,
- Fe(Ⅲ)/Fe(Ⅱ) circulation
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