Pyrolysis-tuned apple branch-derived carbon catalysts for persulfate activation: dominance of 1O2 non-radical pathways

Key Points

• Activation of persulfate was significantly enhanced by carbon catalysts derived from pyrolyzed apple branches, leading to increased efficiency.
• 1O2 non-radical pathways played a dominant role in the activation mechanism of persulfate, indicating a novel approach in catalysis.
• The study employed pyrolysis techniques to tune the properties of carbon catalysts, optimizing their performance for persulfate activation.
• Findings suggest these catalysts have promising applications for addressing environmental contamination through advanced oxidation processes.