A quinone intermediate-mediated novel cascade catalytic-antimicrobial strategy: Regulation of superoxide radicals by low-temperature thermocatalysis of MnBi3Ox for targeted conversion of phenols to quinones.

The simultaneous removal of phenolic organic pollutants and pathogenic microorganisms from medical wastewater remains a critical challenge. Herein, we report a novel strategy for wastewater disinfection based on in-situ generated quinone intermediates from the catalytic degradation of phenolics. A bimetallic oxide (MnBi3Ox) was designed to efficiently activate lattice oxygen into superoxide radicals (O2•-) under mild thermocatalytic conditions. These mild radicals not only degrade phenolics but also precisely transform them into quinone intermediates, thereby enabling the sustained inactivation of pathogenic microorganisms and achieving dual-functional purification. Experimental results demonstrate 99.8 % acetaminophen (ACE) removal and complete E. coli inactivation within 30 min at 45 ℃. Mechanistic studies reveal that controlled O2•- generation arises from lattice oxygen activation and bimetallic synergy in MnBi3Ox, while E. coli inactivation is solely attributable to quinone intermediates, constituting a novel cascade catalytic-antimicrobial strategy. This study not only proposes a new approach for synergistic disinfection and water purification but also offers fresh insights into the resource utilization of reactive intermediates in wastewater treatment.