Recent Advance of Atomically Dispersed Dual-Metal Sites Carbocatalysts: Properties, Synthetic Materials, Catalytic Mechanisms, and Applications in Persulfate-Based Advanced Oxidation Process

Recently, atomically dispersed dual-metal sites carbocatalysts (DMSCs) make a wave in the field of persulfate-based advanced oxidation processes (PS-AOPs) in light of their approximate to 100% atomic utilization efficiency, high density of active sites, and superior catalytic activity. This review aims to provide a state-of-the-art overview on the development of DMSCs for activating PS. Initially, the types and properties of DMSCs are summarized, as well as the role of doping different heteroatoms is discussed. Subsequently, the properties of different carbon carriers and the methods for the synthesis of DMSCs are outlined. After that, the mechanism and application of DMSCs for the activation of PS toward organic contaminants degradation are revealed. Particularly, the mechanism of nonradical pathway is described, and the necessity of coupling DMSCs-based PS-AOPs to other processes for practical water treatment is emphasized. Finally, the formidable challenges and future research directions of DMSCs are proposed. This review is expected to provide insight into the preparation of DMSCs in the field of nanomaterials and to broaden the path for their environmental applications.