Silicate-Confined Hydrogen on Nanoscale Zerovalent Iron for Efficient Defluorination Reactions

Defluorination reactions are increasingly vital due to the extensive use of organofluorine compounds with robust carbon–fluorine (C–F) bonds; particularly, the efficient defluorination of widespread and persistent per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances under mild conditions is crucial due to their accumulation in the environment and human body. Herein, we demonstrate that surface-modified silicate of pronounced proton affinity can confine active hydrogen (•H) onto nanoscale zerovalent iron (nZVI) by withdrawing electrons from nZVI to react with bound protons, generating confined active hydrogen (•H*) for efficient defluorination under ambient conditions. The exposed silicon cation (Siσ+) of silicate functions as…

• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: 22476127, 22206124
• NK
  National Key Research and Development Program of China

  Award: 2022YFC3702101