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 H₂O₂ 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 H₂O₂ 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 H₂O₂ consumption.