Citation: Jiaqi Wu, Fengze Zhuang, Yuqiu Xie, Yue Chen, Xiaofei Zeng, Liang Chen, Bocheng Qiu, Qiaohong Zhu, Mingyang Xing. Enlarged Fe-O covalency enabled by Mo incorporation for water remediation[J]. Chinese Chemical Letters, ;2026, 37(10): 112508. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2026.112508 shu

Enlarged Fe-O covalency enabled by Mo incorporation for water remediation

Jiaqi Wu ^a ,
Fengze Zhuang ^a ,
Yuqiu Xie ^a ,
Yue Chen ^a ,
Xiaofei Zeng ^a ,
Liang Chen ^a ,
Bocheng Qiu ^{b, *,} ,
Qiaohong Zhu ^{a, *,} ,
Mingyang Xing ^{a, c, d, **,}

a.
Key Laboratory of Organosilicon Chemistry and Material Technology, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organosilicon Material Technology, College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
b.
Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
c.
Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
d.
Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Multimedia Environmental Catalysis and Resource Utilization, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China

^**

bochengqiu@njau.edu.cn

zhuqh@hznu.edu.cn

mingyangxing@ecust.edu.cn

Received Date: 24 September 2025
Revised Date: 12 December 2025
Accepted Date: 5 February 2026
Available Online: 6 February 2026

Figures(5)

The worldwide utilization of antibiotics and the generation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria necessitate the development of alternative wastewater treatment strategies, in which the cycling of metallic ions and the precise modulation of Fe active sites remain critically important factors to be concerned. In this work, Mo incorporation is strategically employed to modulate Fe-O covalency through charge redistribution driven by strong Fe-Mo interactions over graphite carbon ring/CN (CCN). This design achieves an exceptional degradation rate constant, which arises from synergistic Fe/Mo catalytic-co-catalytic interactions that facilitate sustainable metal redox cycling, enhance bonding orbital overlap, and optimize surface adsorption characteristics. The Mo-modified catalyst (FeMoCCN) exhibits a greater contribution to bonding orbitals compared to the singly Fe-doped counterpart (FeCCN). The introduction of Mo enhances Fe-O covalency, thereby facilitating electron transfer for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation and subsequent degradation processes. Remarkably, complete electron transfer is achieved through the Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺, Mo⁶⁺/Mo⁴⁺, Fe³⁺/Mo⁴⁺ redox couples, further implying the robust adaptability of this Fenton-like system for antibiotic degradation while providing mechanistic insights into the synergistic effects between light irradiation, oxidant activation, and bimetallic doping modulation in advanced wastewater treatment.
- Charge redistribution,
- Fe-O covalency,
- Metal redox cycling,
- Fenton-like reaction,
- Antibiotic wastewater removal
1. [1]
  S. Xu, X. Mi, P. Wang, et al., Adv. Funct. Mater. 33 (2023) 2308204. doi: 10.1002/adfm.202308204
2. [2]
  Z. Chen, J. Li, B. Yang, et al., Chin. J. Chem. 42 (2024) 2563–2571. doi: 10.1002/cjoc.202400303
3. [3]
  J. Yang, S. Wang, X. Luo, et al., Chin. Chem. Lett. 36 (2025) 110996. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.110996
4. [4]
  Z. Liu, R. Su, F. Xu, et al., Adv. Mater. 36 (2024) 2311869. doi: 10.1002/adma.202311869
5. [5]
  Y. Pan, J. Cao, M. Xing, et al., ACS ES&T Eng. 4 (2024) 19–46. doi: 10.1021/acsestengg.3c00210
6. [6]
  J. Zhen, J. Sun, X. Xu, et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 63 (2024) e202402669. doi: 10.1002/anie.202402669
7. [7]
  H. Dai, W. Zhou, W. Wang, et al., J. Hazard. Mater. 426 (2022) 127784. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127784
8. [8]
  H. Li, C. Shan, B. Pan, Environ. Sci. Technol. 52 (2018) 2197–2205. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.7b05563
9. [9]
  H. Li, C. Shan, B. Pan, Sci. Total Environ. 675 (2019) 62–72. doi: 10.3390/s20010062
10. [10]
  A. Wang, M. Du, J. Ni, et al., Nat. Commun. 14 (2023) 6733. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-42542-6
11. [11]
  C. Song, Q. Zhan, F. Liu, et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 61 (2022) e202200406. doi: 10.1002/anie.202200406
12. [12]
  X. Zhang, C. Zhou, J. Zhang, et al., Chin. Chem. Lett. 37 (2026) 111630. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111630
13. [13]
  H. Shi, Y. He, Y. Li, et al., ACS Catal. 13 (2023) 8973–8986. doi: 10.1021/acscatal.3c01496
14. [14]
  Z. Zhao, W. Zhou, D. Lin, et al., Appl. Catal. B: Environ. 309 (2022) 121256. doi: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2022.121256
15. [15]
  Z. Chen, F. An, Y. Zhang, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 120 (2023) e2305933120. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2305933120
16. [16]
  F. Chen, X.L. Wu, C. Shi, et al., Adv. Funct. Mater. 31 (2021) 2007877. doi: 10.1002/adfm.202007877
17. [17]
  Z. Liu, X.Y. Xu, F. Xu, et al., Water Res. 274 (2025) 123147. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2025.123147
18. [18]
  M. Cui, K. Cui, X. Liu, et al., J. Hazard. Mater. 418 (2021) 126338. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126338
19. [19]
  Y. Liu, W. Miao, Z. Chen, et al., Chem. Eng. J. 496 (2024) 153871. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2024.153871
20. [20]
  L. Qin, J. Meng, G. Yang, et al., Appl. Catal. B: Environ. Energy 345 (2024) 123695. doi: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2024.123695
21. [21]
  X.D. Yang, Y. Zheng, J. Yang, et al., ACS Catal. 7 (2017) 139–145. doi: 10.1021/acscatal.6b02702
22. [22]
  M. Mateen, W.C. Cheong, C. Zheng, et al., Chem. Eng. J. 451 (2023) 138305. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2022.138305
23. [23]
  F. Chen, Y.J. Sun, X.T. Huang, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 121 (2024) e2314396121. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2314396121
24. [24]
  Y. Li, J. Wei, N. Cui, et al., Appl. Catal. B: Environ. Energy 358 (2024) 124385. doi: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2024.124385
25. [25]
  C. Dong, Z. Wang, C. Yang, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 120 (2023) e2305883120. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2305883120
26. [26]
  Z. Fan, H. Cheng, B. Pang, et al., ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 17 (2025) 4804–4812. doi: 10.1021/acsami.4c16551
27. [27]
  R. Li, R. Ma, L.L. Zhang, et al., ACS Nano 19 (2025) 17686–17697. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.5c01741
28. [28]
  Q. Ji, K. Du, J. Zhu, et al., Chem. Eng. J. 462 (2023) 142116. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2023.142116
29. [29]
  R. Guo, Y. Wang, J. Li, et al., Appl. Catal. B: Environ. 278 (2020) 119297. doi: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2020.119297
30. [30]
  K.A. Zhu, X.J. Chen, C.W. Yuan, et al., J. Hazard. Mater. 445 (2023) 130476. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130476
31. [31]
  Z. Li, M. Sun, J. Yang, et al., Chem. Eng. J. 446 (2022) 137380. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2022.137380
32. [32]
  Z. Zhao, M. Hu, T. Nie, et al., Environ. Sci. Technol. 57 (2023) 4556–4567. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.2c09336
33. [33]
  J. Jiang, S. Liu, D. Shi, et al., Water Res. 244 (2023) 120502. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120502
34. [34]
  Y. Bao, C. Lian, K. Huang, et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 61 (2022) e202209542. doi: 10.1002/anie.202209542
35. [35]
  M.Y. Lan, Y.H. Li, C.C. Wang, et al., Nat. Commun. 15 (2024) 7208. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-51525-0
36. [36]
  Y.S. Zhang, X.J. Chen, X.T. Huang, et al., Water Res. 260 (2024) 121907. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121907
37. [37]
  F. Chen, L.L. Liu, J.H. Wu, et al., Adv. Mater. 34 (2022) 2202891. doi: 10.1002/adma.202202891
38. [38]
  Y. Jiang, Z. Yang, X. Bi, et al., Chin. Chem. Lett. 35 (2024) 109331. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.109331
39. [39]
  C. Liu, J. Li, X. He, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 121 (2024) e2322283121. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2322283121
40. [40]
  Z. Mo, J. Di, P. Yan, et al., Small 16 (2020) 2003914. doi: 10.1002/smll.202003914
41. [41]
  X. Li, J. Wang, H. Xue, et al., Adv. Funct. Mater. 35 (2025) 2503360. doi: 10.1002/adfm.202503360
42. [42]
  Y. Huang, Y. Zhao, D. Song, et al., Appl. Catal. B: Environ. Energy 374 (2025) 125377. doi: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2025.125377
43. [43]
  Y. Liu, C. Liu, X. Peng, et al., Water Res. 280 (2025) 123477. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2025.123477
44. [44]
  B.B. Zhang, C.W. Bai, X.J. Chen, et al., J. Hazard. Mater. 468 (2024) 133816. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133816
45. [45]
  J. Wu, Z. Wang, X. Chen, et al., J. Clean. Prod. 446 (2024) 141391. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.141391
46. [46]
  X. Li, S. Huang, H. Xu, et al., Chin. Chem. Lett. 33 (2022) 1321–1324. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2021.07.058
47. [47]
  D. Yang, J. Liang, L. Luo, et al., Chin. Chem. Lett. 32 (2021) 2534–2538. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2020.12.049
48. [48]
  C. Dong, Y. Bao, T. Sheng, et al., Appl. Catal. B: Environ. 286 (2021) 119930. doi: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2021.119930
1. [1]
  Ting Zhang , Baojing Huang , Hong Huang , Ailing Yan , Shiqiang Lu , Xufang Qian . Visible light boosted Fenton-like reaction of carbon dot-Fe(Ⅲ) complex: Kinetics and mechanism insights. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(11): 110885-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.110885
2. [2]
  Qingbai Tian , BingLiang Yu , Zhihao Li , Wei Hong , Qian Li , Xing Xu . Versatile catalytic membranes anchored with metal-nitrogen based metal oxides for ultrafast Fenton-like oxidation. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(6): 110322-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110322
3. [3]
  Kexin Yin , Jingren Yang , Yanwei Li , Qian Li , Xing Xu . Metal-free diatomaceous carbon-based catalyst for ultrafast and anti-interference Fenton-like oxidation. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(12): 109847-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109847
4. [4]
  Lifei Hou , Siyuan You , Rui Li , Haoyun Lu , Yanan Shang , Xing Xu . Synergy between Si-O-C bonding and graphitic N enables exceptional Fenton-like activity rivaling single-atom catalysis. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2026, 37(5): 111903-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111903
5. [5]
  Siyuan You , Rui Li , Haoyun Lu , Lifei Hou , Xing Xu , Yanan Shang . Modulation of the structures and properties of iron-carbon composites by different small molecular carbon sources for Fenton-like reactions. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(9): 110955-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.110955
6. [6]
  Zhen Liu , Xinyi Xu , Jinkai He , Fei Xu , Qian Li . Revealing the synergistic effect of materials composition and pollutants structure on catalytic degradation mechanism in heterogeneous iron-based Fenton-like reactions. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2026, 37(4): 111644-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111644
7. [7]
  Shuo Chen , Yuxuan Xiang , Qiulin Yang , Shuang Meng , Chuanshu He , Yang Liu , Jing Zhang , Zhaokun Xiong , Peng Zhou , Bo Lai . Amorphous-boron boosted Fenton-like activation of periodate for water remediation: Multiple routes for generating reactive oxygen species. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2026, 37(5): 111838-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111838
8. [8]
  Hanghang Zhao , Wenbo Qi , Xin Tan , Xing Xu , Fengmin Song , Xianzhao Shao . Metal single-atom catalysts derived from silicon-based materials for advanced oxidation applications. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(6): 110898-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.110898
9. [9]
  Jiayi Guo , Liangxiong Ling , Qinwei Lu , Yi Zhou , Xubiao Luo , Yanbo Zhou . Degradation of chloroxylenol by CoS_x activated peroxomonosulfate: Role of cobalt-sulfur ratio. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(4): 110380-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110380
10. [10]
  Wan-Yin Gao , Xiao-Qiang Cao , Li-Fei Hou , Hao-Yun Lu , Zhao-Jing Zhu , Wen-Jia Kong , Yang Zhang , Yi-Zhen Zhang , Ya-Nan Shang , Xing Xu . Electron transfer chemistry triggered by silicon-doped carbon catalysts derived from natural minerals for the degradation of organic pollutants. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2026, 37(1): 111095-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111095
11. [11]
  Ying Li , Zelin Wu , Xiaoyu Liu , Bingkun Huang , Jing Zhang , Yanbiao Shi , Chuan-Shu He , Zhaokun Xiong , Xingxing An , Bo Lai . Matching molecular scale with active site spacing induces distinct mechanisms in single-atom catalysts for persulfate activation. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2026, 37(4): 111627-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111627
12. [12]
  Yi Zhou , Guocheng Lv , Xinyu Lei , Xinyu Hou , Meng Liu , Libing Liao , Hailiang Dong . Enhanced tetracycline degradation via nano zero-valent iron confined in halloysite nanotubes for sustainable water purification. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2026, 37(10): 111640-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111640
13. [13]
  Jingyi Yang , Sihan Wang , Xubiao Luo , Zhenyang Yu , Yanbo Zhou . Fenton-like process in antibiotic-containing wastewater treatment: Applications and toxicity evaluation. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(12): 110996-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.110996
14. [14]
  Mengxiang Zhu , Tao Ding , Yunzhang Li , Yuanjie Peng , Ruiping Liu , Quan Zou , Leilei Yang , Shenglei Sun , Pin Zhou , Guosheng Shi , Dongting Yue . Graphene controlled solid-state growth of oxygen vacancies riched V₂O₅ catalyst to highly activate Fenton-like reaction. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(12): 109833-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109833
15. [15]
  Xun Zhu , Chenchen Zhang , Yingying Li , Yin Lu , Na Huang , Dawei Wang . Degradation of perfluorooctanoic acid by inductively heated Fenton-like process over the Fe₃O₄/MIL-101 composite. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(12): 109753-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109753
16. [16]
  Taozhen Li , Zhuohang Wu , Shu Yang , Bin Li , Semencha Alexander Vyacheslavovich , Donaev Sardor Burkhanovich , Ergashev Yorqinjon Tolqinogli , Rashidov Shokhzodbek Abduvakhobovich , Lei Wang , Jingwen Pan . Revealing the unique generation pathway of singlet oxygen from sulfate radical in Fe-based Fenton-like system. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2026, 37(9): 112443-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2026.112443
17. [17]
  Wensheng Li , Zhiqiang Sun , Yidi Chen , Xiaoguang Duan , Chuling Guo , Zhi Dang , Shih-Hsin Ho , Shishu Zhu . Fenton-like catalysis of single-atom Co-N₄ for polymeric transformation and recovery of benzohydroxamic acid in mineral processing wastewater. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2026, 37(5): 111791-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111791
18. [18]
  Weichen Zhu , Wei Zuo , Pu Wang , Wei Zhan , Jun Zhang , Lipin Li , Yu Tian , Hong Qi , Rui Huang . Fe-N-C heterogeneous Fenton-like catalyst for the degradation of tetracycline: Fe-N coordination and mechanism studies. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(9): 109341-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.109341
19. [19]
  Yiqian Jiang , Zihan Yang , Xiuru Bi , Nan Yao , Peiqing Zhao , Xu Meng . Mediated electron transfer process in α-MnO₂ catalyzed Fenton-like reaction for oxytetracycline degradation. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(8): 109331-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.109331
20. [20]
  Shiyu Pan , Bo Cao , Deling Yuan , Tifeng Jiao , Qingrui Zhang , Shoufeng Tang . Complexes of cupric ion and tartaric acid enhanced calcium peroxide Fenton-like reaction for metronidazole degradation. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(7): 109185-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.109185

Get Citation

PDF

XML

Metrics

PDF Downloads(0)
Abstract views(3)
HTML views(0)

通讯作者: 陈斌, bchen63@163.com

1.
沈阳化工大学材料科学与工程学院沈阳 110142