N-(1,3-Dimethylbutyl)-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine (6PPD) forms the highly toxic quinone analogue 6PPD-Q during the Fenton processes, posing risks to aquatic organisms and humans. To bridge this gap, we optimally designed Ag-Pt dual-atom catalysts (DACs) that harness visible-light-induced interfacial charge transfer to enhance atomic H* generation, thereby directing 6PPD detoxification through direct hydrogenation of benzene rings (to terminate 6PPD-Q formation) and selective enhancement of hydroxyl radical (•OH) activation in a Fenton-like process. Multiple lines of evidence demonstrated that photoexcitation enables directional electron transfer from Ag to Pt, boosting the generation of atomic H*, a single-electron donor that spontaneously activates a Fenton-like process without secondary pollution, selectively facilitating •OH generation for further 6PPD detoxification. Intermediate identification and ecotoxicity assessment reconfirmed 6PPD detoxification without 6PPD-Q accumulation. This study offers mechanistic insights into DAC-enhanced atomic H* generation under visible light and achieves complete detoxification of 6PPD within the Fenton-like process.
Xie et al. (Mon,) studied this question.