Iron encapsulated in boron and nitrogen codoped carbon nanotubes as synergistic catalysts for Fenton-like reaction

• Fe@C-BN catalysts were fabricated by a simple and scalable pyrolysis method.
• Catalytic performance of Fe@C-BN was affected by several key operating parameters.
• Hydroxyl and sulfate radicals participating in Fenton-like process were identified.
• Enhanced activity was ascribed to synergistic effect of iron and N, B-doped carbon.
• Metal NPs embedded in carbon can be protected from leaching in the different media.