Manganese–iron supported on porous iron foam as efficient periodate activators toward pollutant abatement

The development of highly active porous catalysts is crucial for the efficient catalytic oxidation of organic pollutants. In this study, we synthesized a manganese–iron bimetallic catalyst supported on iron foam (MnFe-IF) using a dual chloride aqueous corrosion method to enhance potassium periodate (PI) activation. The unique morphology and synergistic effects of MnFe-IF led to exceptional activity and durability in degrading various organic pollutants, surpassing conventional non-precious metals and previously reported porous catalysts. Electrochemical evaluations, scavenging tests, and electron spin resonance analysis reveal that an electron transfer mechanism drives organic removal in the MnFe-IF/PI system. The catalyst activates PI, generating high-potential intermediates that significantly enhance pollutant degradation. Additionally, the transformation of Fe(II)/Fe(III) and Mn(II)/Mn(III)/Mn(IV) promotes the cooperative roles of singlet oxygen and superoxide radicals in organic elimination. This work provides new insights into the synthesis of effective porous catalysts for oxidizing organic contaminants.