Polymer-encapsulated iron oxide nanoparticles as highly efficient Fenton catalysts

Abstract

Fe 3 O 4 –poly(3,4-ethylene-dioxythiophene) (PEDOT) core-shell nanoparticles as heterogeneous Fenton catalysts were synthesized by acid etching-mediated chemical oxidation polymerization. Compared with pristine Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles or commercialized iron oxide nanopowder, Fe 3 O 4 –PEDOT core-shell nanoparticles demonstrated outstanding catalytic performance for the degradation of Reactive Black 5 (RB5) and Orange II. In the case of the degradation of RB5, Fe 3 O 4 –PEDOT core-shell nanoparticles had an approximately 2.5 times higher catalytic activity than commercialized Fe 3 O 4 nanopowder. In addition, the ultrathin PEDOT shell can suppress leaching of iron cation through coordination formation, facilitating the catalytic reaction in the confined region of the nanoparticle surface.