Graphitized Cu-β-cyclodextrin polymer driving an efficient dual-reaction-center Fenton-like process by utilizing electrons of pollutants for water purification.

Excessive consumption of energy and resources is a major challenge in wastewater treatment. Here, a novel heterogeneous Fenton-like catalyst consisting of Cu-doped graphene-like catalysts (Cu-GCD NSs) was first synthesized by an enhanced carbothermal reduction of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD). The catalyst exhibits excellent Fenton-like catalytic activity for the degradation of various pollutants under neutral conditions, accompanied by low HO consumption. The results of structural characterization and theoretical calculations confirmed that the dual reaction centers (DRCs) were constructed on Cu-GCD NSs surface through C-O-Cu bonds supported on zero-valent copper species, which play a significant role in the high-performance Fenton-like reaction. The pollutants that served as electron donors were decomposed in the electron-poor carbon centers, whereas HO and dissolved oxygen obtained these electrons in the electron-rich Cu centers through C-O-Cu bonds, thereby producing more active species. This study demonstrates that the electrons of pollutants can be efficiently utilized in Fenton-like reactions by DRCs on the catalyst surface, which provides an effective strategy to improve Fenton-like reactivity and reduce HO consumption.