Insights into the mechanism of carbocatalysis for peracetic acid activation: Kinetic discernment and active site identification

•Nanocarbon exhibited superior activity for PAA activation toward pollutant decay.•CNT−PAA* complex was the prime reactive species formed at the sp2-hybridized carbon.•Minor •OHsurface was generated at the edge-located C−OH group.•CNT−PAA* complex was firstly detected via in situ Raman test.•Oxidation rate constant discerned from apparent counterpart was related well to φ1/2.