Modified multifunctional carbon for persulfate activation to remove emerging contaminants: Preparation, mechanism, environmental footprints and challenges

Modified multifunctional carbons (MMCs) have emerged as efficacious catalysts for persulfate, adept at degrading trace levels of emerging contaminants (ECs) in aquatic systems. The review provides a comprehensive analysis of the contemporary research on ECs degradation, emphasizing preparation techniques, catalytic mechanisms, environmental footprints, and the challenges inherent to MMCs. The analysis result suggest that enhancing mass transfer in MMCs through targeted modification and doping is essential for boosting the efficiency of ECs degradation. The complementary interaction between MMCs and advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) offers a potent and environmentally benign strategy for degradation. However, the practical application of MMCs is confronted with challenges such as sustainable synthesis, stability, recyclability, potential ecotoxicity, and migration risks. The mechanisms of persulfate catalysis by MMCs warrant thorough investigation, which is essential for the development of more effective catalysts, It is demonstrated that innovative preparation strategies for MMCs are garnering focus for their efficacy in mitigating secondary pollution, diminishing production expenses, ensuring high recyclability, enhancing degradation efficacy and reducing environmental footprints.