The atomically dispersed metal is expected as one of the most promising Fenton‐like catalysts for the degradation of recalcitrant organic pollutants (ROPs) by the strong “electronic metal–support interactions” (EMSIs). Here, we develop an atomically dispersed metal–atom alloy made by guest Au atoms substitute host V atoms in the two‐dimensional VO2(B) nanobelt support (Au/VO2) to activate Fenton‐like oxidation for elimination of ROPs. The 2D nanobelt structure enlarges the exposure of atomically Au thus increasing the number of active sites to absorb more S2O82− ions. And the EMSIs regulate the charge density in Au atoms to present positive charge Au+, lowering the energy barrier of S2O82− decomposition to produce SO4.−. The Au/VO2 catalyst possesses excellent durable and reliable characteristics and exhibits record‐breaking efficiency with TOF as high as 21.42 min−1, 16.19 min−1, and 80.89 min−1 for rhodamine, phenol, and bisphenol A degradation, respectively.
Despite long‐term efforts for exploring antibacterial agents or drugs, potentiating antibacterial activity and meanwhile minimizing toxicity to the environment remains a challenge. Here, it is experimentally shown that the functionality of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) through copper ions displays selective antibacterial activity that is significantly stronger than that of rGO itself and no toxicity to mammalian cells. Remarkably, this antibacterial activity is two‐orders‐of‐magnitude greater than the activity of its surrounding copper ions. It is demonstrated that rGO is functionalized through the cation–π interaction to massively adsorb copper ions to form a rGO–copper composite and result in an extremely low concentration level of surrounding copper ions (less than ≈0.5 µm). These copper ions on rGO are positively charged and strongly interact with negatively charged bacterial cells to selectively achieve antibacterial activity, while rGO exhibits the functionality to not only actuate rapid delivery of copper ions and massive assembly onto bacterial cells but also result in the valence shift in the copper ions from Cu2+ into Cu+, which greatly enhances the antibacterial activity. Notably, this rGO functionality through cation–π interaction with copper ions can similarly achieve algaecidal activity but does not exert cytotoxicity against neutrally charged mammalian cells.
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