Single-Atom MnN₅ Catalytic Sites Enable Efficient Peroxymonosulfate Activation by Forming Highly Reactive Mn(IV)–Oxo Species

Abstract

Four-nitrogen-coordinated transitional metal (MN₄) configurations in single-atom catalysts (SACs) are broadly recognized as the most efficient active sites in peroxymonosulfate (PMS)-based advanced oxidation processes. However, SACs with a coordination number higher than four are rarely explored, which represents a fundamental missed opportunity for coordination chemistry to boost PMS activation and degradation of recalcitrant organic pollutants. We experimentally and theoretically demonstrate here that five-nitrogen-coordinated Mn (MnN₅) sites more effectively activate PMS than MnN₄ sites, by facilitating the cleavage of the O-O bond into high-valent Mn(IV)-oxo species with nearly 100% selectivity. The high activity of MnN₅ was discerned to be due to the formation of higher-spin-state N₅Mn(IV)═O species, which enable efficient two-electron transfer from organics to Mn sites through a lower-energy-barrier pathway. Overall, this work demonstrates the importance of high coordination numbers in SACs for efficient PMS activation and informs the design of next-generation environmental catalysts.