What question did this study set out to answer?

To develop a catalyst that effectively degrades bisphenols in water while overcoming challenges posed by dissolved organic carbon.

March 26, 2026Open Access

Spontaneous degradation of bisphenol contaminants driven by an enhanced electric field in a multicomponent coordinated cation−π catalyst

Key Points

To develop a catalyst that effectively degrades bisphenols in water while overcoming challenges posed by dissolved organic carbon.
Engineered Fe, Zn complex graphene-like carbon catalyst (FeZn-GLC) for enhanced catalytic activity.
Assessed catalytic efficiency under ambient conditions for bisphenols degradation.
Evaluated performance in municipal wastewater to test real-world applicability.
Achieved over 97.5% degradation efficiency of bisphenols.
Mineralization rates between 70% and 90% for BPA and its analogues were noted.
Generated organic radicals and reactive oxygen species enhanced catalyst recovery and effectiveness.

Abstract

Bisphenol A (BPA) and its analogues (BPs), including bisphenol F (BPF), bisphenol S (BPS), bisphenol B (BPB), bisphenol AF (BPAF), and bisphenol AP (BPAP), are pervasive endocrine-disrupting contaminants with escalating environmental prevalence. However, current remediation strategies face critical challenges due to the interference from dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in real water matrices and high energy consumption. Herein, we engineered Fe, Zn complex graphene-like carbon (FeZn-GLC) with Fe−O−C, C−O−Zn, Fe−N−C, Zn−N−C, and Fe−C, five distinct chemical coordination bonds to strengthen cation−π interactions and generate a robust intrinsic electric field. It enabled efficient destruction of BPs in water with high and stable catalytic efficiency under ambient conditions. The high active state combination of Fe 3 C and GLC, with the strongest tensile strain from multicomponent coordination on FeZn-GLC, delivered a strong electric field that triggered BPs’ spontaneous degradation and O 2 reduction. The system achieved >97.5% degradation efficiency and 70%–90% mineralization of BPA/BPs under ambient conditions, with further performance enhancement in municipal wastewater. This resulted in organic radicals (R • ), O 2 •- , and • OH, which were shown to charge the Fe species and GLC system, thereby recovering FeZn-GLC for complete BP destruction. The results addressed the inhibitory effect of DOC in real waters on BPs removal. Our findings highlight the potential of high active state and electric energy from the catalyst surface reconstruction through multicomponent coordination for remediating micropollutant contamination in water. • A Fe, Zn complexd graphene-like (Fe, Zn-GLC) catalyst with Fe/Zn-π system was formed. • Fe, Zn-GLC shows superior activity and stability for bisphenol pollutant destruction. • Multicomponent coordination promoted high active states formed on Fe, Zn-GLC. • Multicomponent coordination facilitated strong electric field generation. • Strong electric field drove BPs spontaneous degradation and O 2 reduction.

Spontaneous degradation of bisphenol contaminants driven by an enhanced electric field in a multicomponent coordinated cation−π catalyst

Key Points

Abstract

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