The efficient ferrate activation by Co modified N-doped carbon nanosheets for the ultrafast water treatment

Nowadays, organic contaminants have posed a considerable threat to the natural environment. Ferrate (Fe (VI)) is an environmentally friendly oxidant for decomposing organic contaminants in water. In this study, Co modified N-doped carbon nanosheets were prepared to enhance phenol degradation by Fe (VI) under alkaline conditions. Also, the properties, mechanism and transformation pathways were investigated. Co/NC-1000 significantly accelerated Fe(VI) activation, resulting in phenol degradation to be 1.5–4 times faster than with Fe(VI) alone, achieving 92 % removal within 75 seconds. Also, •OH is the essential active oxidizing species for the degradation of phenol in the Fe (VI)-Co/NC-1000 group, followed by 1 O 2 and Fe(V)/Fe(IV). Moreover, the catalyst remained stable over five cycles, making the Fe(VI)-Co/NC system a promising method for efficient water treatment.