Preparation of bifunctional hollow mesoporous Fe 0 @C@MnFe 2 O 4 as Fenton-like catalyst for degradation of Tetrabromobisphenol A

Abstract

Abstract Nanoscale zerovalent iron (nZVI) loaded magnetic hollow mesoporous bimetallic Fenton-like catalyst, Fe0@C@MnFe2O4, was prepared by a one-pot solvothermal method. Carbon shell of polydopamine (PDA) was formed through self-oxidation of dopamine by adding MnFe2O4 hollow spheres into dopamine solutions. Then Fe2+ ions were adsorbed on the surface of PDA@MnFe2O4 to obtain active nZVI in-situ through subsequent calcinations. Thus, the mesoporous carbon shell of Fe0@C@MnFe2O4 had a great contribution to high adsorption capacity for concentrating TBBPA around the catalyst. The high concentration of TBBPA outside would further facilitate the transportation to the inside of the hollow catalyst to achieve a high catalytic efficiency. Fe0@C@MnFe2O4, as an integrated adsorbent-catalyst, was used to remove Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) in aqueous solution with the presence of H2O2 and NH2OH. Over 90% of TBBPA can be removed within 120 min. According to the result of ESI–MS, β-scission and debromination were involved in the degradation of TBBPA. The reused catalyst could be easily separated by using an external magnetic field in seconds. After ten cycles, the catalyst was still of good activity. The excellent removal efficiency of TBBPA might be attributed to the synergistic effect from high adsorption capacity and efficient Fenton-like catalytic reaction of Fe0@C@MnFe2O4.