In this study, an environmentally benign polyaminocarboxylic ligand diethylenetriamine pentacetate (DTPA) was first used to promote the aerobic 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) degradation with Fe@Fe2O3 core-shell nanowires, and then compared with the most used counterpart ethylenediamine tetraacetate (EDTA) of poor biodegradability. Although the 4-CP removal rate in the Fe@Fe2O3/DTPA/Air system was slower owing to the preferential degradation of DTPA, the total organic carbon removal rate in the Fe@Fe2O3/DTPA/4-CP/Air system was much faster than that in ...