DMF Etching-Free Pore-Making Synergy: Alkaline lignin-Derived Biochar for Non-Radical PMS Activation toward Efficient BPA Degradation.

Abstract

This study innovatively adopted N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF) as a non-residual porogen to synthesize porous biochar from renewable alkaline lignin, activating peroxymonosulfate (PMS) to degrade bisphenol A (BPA). DMF, in contrast to conventional metal porogens, eliminated the need for acid washing without the hazards of metal remnants and secondary pollution. Analysis revealed that DMF modification markedly boosted defect density (I_D/I_G = 1.0732), specific surface area (397 m²/g, marking a 2.17 times rise compared to the control group), and the C=O bond content on the surface (23.90%), cumulatively leading to a 38.4% surge in the rate of BPA degradation relative to the original system. This study first identifies a threshold dependence between the dosage of DMF and the formation of pores, enabling accurate regulation of catalytic efficiency via dosage optimization. The reaction was driven by the synergistic activation of PMS by defect sites and C=O groups, resulting in efficient degradation via a non-radical pathway (dominated by ¹O₂/O₂^•-). This technology simultaneously achieves controllable design of biochar pores and greening of the process, providing a new paradigm for the development of low-cost, environmentally compatible carbon catalytic materials.