Interface engineering of Zr4+-modified FeOOH/CC cathode boosts electrocatalytic peroxymonosulfate activation toward microplastic degradation

Summary

Researchers engineered a Zr4+-modified FeOOH/carbon cloth cathode using constant-current electrodeposition and self-assembly to overcome interfacial electrostatic repulsion between the cathode and peroxymonosulfate (PMS), enhancing electrocatalytic PMS activation for microplastic degradation. The electrode achieved 73% degradation of polyethylene microplastics within 3 hours under neutral conditions and demonstrated broad-spectrum degradation of polypropylene, polystyrene, and other microplastics above 65% efficiency.