Direct electron transfer double-defect core–shell LaVCuOδ@CeOx nanoreactors boosting hydrogen peroxide activation for enhanced quinoline removal.

[Display omitted] • A bifunctional core–shell V O -LCO@CeO x nanoreactor was designed for H 2 O 2 activation. • Heterostructure boosted V O levels via the removal of oxygen atoms to interface. • Direct electron transfer between ≡Cu and ≡Ce achieved efficient ROS production. • The catalytic mechanism had been further confirmed through DFT calculations. Double oxygen vacancies (V O) tuned core–shell La V CuO δ @CeO x (V O -LCO@CeO x) nanoreactors with direct electron transfer (DET) structure was synthesized as an effective heterogeneous Fenton-like catalyst for the quinoline removal. The DET structure was constructed by electron-rich ≡Cu center of V O -LCO core and electron-capture center of CeO x shell for electrons supplying and consuming. This structure elevated total V O levels of catalyst through the removal of oxygen atoms in CeO 2 from attice to interface sites. Meanwhile, the ≡Ce(III) acted as reactive sites for the adsorption of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2) to form surface peroxide species, and then the electron-rich ≡Cu center was further provided electrons to surface peroxide species by DET to produce hydroxyl radical. Moreover, the newly formed surface V O would also be further promote hydroxyl radical production through self-activation of H 2 O 2. This catalyst displayed excellent catalytic activity and stability. The density functional theory (DFT) results further pointed out that this structure had excellent adsorption energy, and generable electron transfer from V O -LCO to CeO x. This work provided a novel approach for the development of heterogeneous Fenton-like catalysts to degrade quinoline wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]