Volume 64, Issue 28 e202504189
Research Article

Site-Specific Spin State Modulation in Spinel Oxides for Enhanced Nonradical Oxidation

Jingdan Shi

Jingdan Shi

College of the Environment & Ecology, Fujian Key Laboratory of Coastal Pollution Prevention and Control, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102 P.R. China

Both authors contributed equally to this work.

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Yaxin Cheng

Yaxin Cheng

College of the Environment & Ecology, Fujian Key Laboratory of Coastal Pollution Prevention and Control, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102 P.R. China

Both authors contributed equally to this work.

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Prof. Ting Wang

Corresponding Author

Prof. Ting Wang

College of the Environment & Ecology, Fujian Key Laboratory of Coastal Pollution Prevention and Control, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102 P.R. China

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

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Yanhua Peng

Yanhua Peng

College of the Environment & Ecology, Fujian Key Laboratory of Coastal Pollution Prevention and Control, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102 P.R. China

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Xinlong Lin

Xinlong Lin

School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798 Singapore

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Dr. Bing Tang

Dr. Bing Tang

Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084 P.R. China

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Prof. Mingbao Feng

Prof. Mingbao Feng

College of the Environment & Ecology, Fujian Key Laboratory of Coastal Pollution Prevention and Control, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102 P.R. China

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Dr. Zechao Zhuang

Corresponding Author

Dr. Zechao Zhuang

Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084 P.R. China

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

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Prof. Yuanmiao Sun

Prof. Yuanmiao Sun

Faculty of Materials Science and Energy Engineering/Institute of Technology for Carbon Neutrality, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055 P.R. China

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Prof. Xin Yu

Prof. Xin Yu

College of the Environment & Ecology, Fujian Key Laboratory of Coastal Pollution Prevention and Control, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102 P.R. China

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Prof. Zhichuan J. Xu

Corresponding Author

Prof. Zhichuan J. Xu

School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798 Singapore

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

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First published: 05 May 2025

Graphical Abstract

This work highlights a strategy that leverages site-specific spin state modulation in spinel oxides, which optimizes site-specific functionalities and enhances the overall nonradical oxidation reaction kinetics by 22-fold. XAS, magnetism characterization combined with theoretical calculation unveil the establishment of a QSEI that facilitates spin channel for charge transfer and the RDS desorption with a lower-ICOHP in fine-tuned spin states.

Abstract

Spinel oxides hold tremendous potential for driving advanced oxidation processes, yet the underlying mechanism for maximizing their activity remains unclear. In this study, we leverage tetrahedral and octahedral site interactions in MnxCo3-xO4 to modulate the spin states, specifically spin alignment and spin moment, thereby enhancing periodate (PI) activation and catalytic performance in contaminant degradation. Through combined experimental and density functional theory (DFT) analyses, we elucidate the role of spin alignment at synergetic tetrahedral and octahedral sites in facilitating quantum spin exchange interactions (QSEI) with an efficient electronic spin channel for charge transfer. Meanwhile, the engineered high spin configuration in CoMn2O4 raises the d-band center, favoring stable PI* surface complex formation and accelerating the rate-determining desorption of IO3 with a lower-ICOHP value during the catalytic degradation of ciprofloxacin. As a result, the fine-tuned spin state of CoMn2O4 leads to enhanced overall reaction kinetics, with a 2.5-fold increase compared to MnCo2O4 and up to 22-fold increase compared to the octahedrally-active only catalysts. Such a site-specific modulation has been found applicable to other spinel oxides, enlightening fine-tuned electronic structure for maximizing catalytic performance.

Conflict of Interests

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available in the Supporting Information of this article.

The full text of this article hosted at iucr.org is unavailable due to technical difficulties.