Fluorine-doped CoFe2O4/MoS2 for efficient Fenton catalysis at minimal oxidant dosage

In this study, we present an effective modification strategy for cobalt ferrate (CoFe₂O₄), a cost-effective heterogeneous Fenton catalyst. Electron microscopic observation and X-ray diffraction results confirmed the successful hydrothermal synthesis of F-CoFe₂O₄/MoS₂. Notably, F-CoFe₂O₄/MoS₂ exhibited a high pollutant degradation efficiency (over 90 % within 30 min) across a broad pH range (4.0–9.0), along with excellent cyclic stability (up to 10 cycles) and environmental robustness. The effectiveness of the catalyst in treating real water samples and its performance in continuous-flow operations were also demonstrated. Fluorine (F) doping and integration with molybdenum sulfide (MoS₂) as a co-catalyst significantly facilitated metal ion release and promoted the formation of an acidic microenvironment on the catalyst surface, which accelerated Fe³ ⁺/Fe²⁺ cycling and enhanced CoFe₂O₄ performance in H₂O₂ activation and pollutant degradation. This work provides valuable insights for designing more efficient catalysts for heterogeneous Fenton oxidation systems in water treatment applications.