Paramagnetic Iron Research Articles

Transport and retention of artificial and real wastewater particles inside a bed of settled aerobic granular sludge assessed applying magnetic resonance imaging

The removal or degradation of particulate organic matter is a crucial part in biological wastewater treatment. This is even more valid with respect to aerobic granular sludge and the impact of particulate organic matter on the formation and stability of the entire granulation process. Before the organic part of the particulate matter can be hydrolyzed and finally degraded by the microorganism, the particles have to be transported towards and retained within the granulated biomass. The understanding of these processes is currently very limited. Thus, the present study aimed at visualizing the transport of particulate organic matter into and through an aerobic granular sludge bed. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was successfully applied to resolve the different fractions of a granular sludge bed over time and space. Quantification and merging of 3D data sets allowed for a clear determination of the particle distribution within the granular sludge bed. Dextran coated super paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs, dp = 38±10 nm) served as model particles for colloidal particles. Microcrystalline cellulose particles (dp = 1–20 μm) tagged with paramagnetic iron oxide were applied as a reference for toilet paper, which is a major fraction of particulate matter in domestic wastewater. The results were supplemented by the use of real wastewater particles with a size fraction between 28 and 100 μm. Colloidal SPIONs distributed evenly over the granular sludge bed penetrating the granules up to 300 μm. Rinsing the granular sludge bed proved their immobilization. Microcrystalline cellulose and real wastewater particles in the micrometer range accumulated in the void space between settled granules. An almost full retention of the wastewater particles was observed within the first 20 mm of the granular sludge bed. Moreover, the formation of particle layers indicates that most of the micrometer-sized particles are not attached to the biomass and remain mobile. Consequently, these particles are released into the bulk phase when the granulated sludge bed is resuspended.

Evaluation of scaffold microstructure and comparison of cell seeding methods using micro-computed tomography-based tools.

Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) provides a means to analyse and model three-dimensional (3D) tissue engineering scaffolds. This study proposes a set of micro-CT-based tools firstly for evaluating the microstructure of scaffolds and secondly for comparing different cell seeding methods. The pore size, porosity and pore interconnectivity of supercritical CO2 processed poly(l-lactide-co-ɛ-caprolactone) (PLCL) and PLCL/β-tricalcium phosphate scaffolds were analysed using computational micro-CT models. The models were supplemented with an experimental method, where iron-labelled microspheres were seeded into the scaffolds and micro-CT imaged to assess their infiltration into the scaffolds. After examining the scaffold architecture, human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) were seeded into the scaffolds using five different cell seeding methods. Cell viability, number and 3D distribution were evaluated. The distribution of the cells was analysed using micro-CT by labelling the hASCs with ultrasmall paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. Among the tested seeding methods, a forced fluid flow-based technique resulted in an enhanced cell infiltration throughout the scaffolds compared with static seeding. The current study provides an excellent set of tools for the development of scaffolds and for the design of 3D cell culture experiments.

An investigation of the phosphate removal mechanism by MgFe layered double hydroxides

The phosphate adsorption properties including kinetics and uptake pathway of MgxFe layered double hydroxides (LDH) with targeted x values of 2 and 3 and intercalated with nitrate (NO3−) and chloride (Cl−) anions were investigated at a phosphate concentration of 16.31 mgP·L−1 and pH (pH = 5, 7, and 9) similar to wastewater conditions. The synthesized MgxFe-LDH show fast adsorption (90–98%) of the final phosphate removal within 3 h and remove 68–73% of the total phosphate content after 24 h. The pristine MgxFe-LDH and solid products after phosphate exposure were characterized by PXRD, FT-IR, zeta-potential, SEM, and solid-state 31P MAS NMR spectroscopy to investigate the phosphate removal pathway. Interestingly, the four MgxFe-LDH phase had similar Mg:Fe ratios irrespective of the Mg:Fe ratio of the reactants based on PXRD. The MgxFe-LDH plate-like morphology was preserved after phosphate exposure and no sign of phosphate intercalation were evident by PXRD, FT-IR, and SEM albeit a small amount of the MgxFe LDH was dissolved based on ICP-OES, PXRD and the final pH. Partial dissolution of the LDH was clearly evident by SEM for Mg2Fe-LDH exposed to 200% theoretical P capacity. The FT-IR spectra and zeta-potential values indicated that the phosphate ions are adsorbed by surface complexation. The 31P MAS NMR spectra of MgxFe-LDH exposed to phosphate has an intense spinning sideband manifold and only minor paramagnetic shifts (<30 ppm) are observed. Thus, phosphate is in the proximity of iron, but not directly bound to the paramagnetic iron via Fe-O-P bond (inner-sphere complexation or mineralization). Thus, the dominating phosphate uptake pathway by MgxFe-LDH is surface complexation similar to MgAl-LDH and possible the formation of ill-defined magnesium phosphate due to partial dissolution of the MgFe-LDH, especially at high P loading.

Yolk-shell nanovesicles endow glutathione-responsive concurrent drug release and T1 MRI activation for cancer theranostics

The effort of incorporating therapeutic drugs with imaging agents has been one of the mainstreams of nanomedicine, which holds great promise in cancer treatment in terms of monitoring therapeutic drug activity and evaluating prognostic index. However, it is still technically challenging to develop nanomedicine endowing a spatiotemporally controllable mechanism of drug release and activatable imaging capability. Here, we developed a yolk-shell type of GSH-responsive nanovesicles (NVs) in which therapeutic drug (Doxorubicin, DOX) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent (ultrasmall paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, USPIO NPs) formed complexes (denoted as USD) and were encapsulated inside the NVs. The formation of USD complexes is mediated by both the electrostatic adsorption between DOX and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) polymers and the DOX-iron coordination effect on USPIO NPs. The obtained USD NVs showed a unique yolk-shell structure with restrained drug activity and quenched T1 MRI contrast ability which, on the other hand, can respond to glutathione (GSH) and lead to drug release and T1 contrast activation in a spatiotemporally concurrent manner. Furthermore, the USD NVs exhibited great potential to kill HCT116 cancer cells in vitro and effectively inhibit the tumor growth in vivo. This study may shed light on the design of sophisticated nanotheranostics in precision nanomedicine.

Porous Si Microparticles Infiltrated with Magnetic Nanospheres

Porous silicon (pSi) microparticles obtained by porosification of crystalline silicon wafers have unique optical properties that, together with biodegradability, biocompatibility and absence of immunogenicity, are fundamental characteristics to candidate them as tracers in optical imaging techniques and as drug carriers. In this work, we focus on the possibility to track down the pSi microparticles also by MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), thus realizing a comprehensive tool for theranostic applications, i.e., the combination of therapy and diagnostics. We have developed and tested an easy, quick and low-cost protocol to infiltrate the COOH-functionalized pSi microparticles pores (tens of nanometers about) with magnetic nanospheres (SPIONs—Super Paramagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles, about 5–7 nm) and allow an electrostatic interaction. The structural properties and the elemental composition were investigated by electron microscopy techniques coupled to elemental analysis to demonstrate the effective attachment of the SPIONs along the pores’ surface of the pSi microparticles. The magnetic properties were investigated under an external magnetic field to determine the relaxivity properties of the material and resulting in an alteration of the relaxivity of water due to the SPIONs presence, clearly demonstrating the effectiveness of the easy functionalization protocol proposed.

Synthesis and Characterization of Super Paramagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

Background: Iron oxide (γ-Fe2O3) nanoparticles have been prepared by a simplified coprecipitation method. Methods: X-ray diffraction peaks of the prepared nanoparticles match well with the characteristic peaks of crystalline g-Fe2O3 as per JCPDS data (JCPDS Card No. 39-1346) and absorption peak at 369 nm along with band gap 2.10 eV suggesting the formation of (γ-Fe2O3) nanoparticles. Results: The γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles are spherical in nature with a diameter around ~10 nm. Conclusion: The crystalline g-Fe2O3 nanoparticles exhibit excellent super-paramagnetic behavior not only at room temperature (300K) but also at a temperature as low as 100K.

Superparamagnetic alginate-based nanocomposite modified by L-arginine: An eco-friendly bifunctional catalysts and an efficient antibacterial agent

In this protocol, the synthesis, antibacterial activity, and catalytic performance of super paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) coated with L-arginine (Arg) grafted alginate (Alg), as an environmental benign heterogeneous catalyst are reported. The SPIONs coated materials were prepared by the co-precipitation method and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR), scanning electron microscope (SEM (, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD (, vibrating-sample magnetometer (VSM (, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Moreover, the synthesized Fe3O4@Alg@CPTMS@Arg was employed for the preparation of 2,4,5-triarylimidazoles derivatives via a one-pot three-component reaction between ammonium acetate, aldehyde derivatives, and benzil under reflux in ethanol. Fe3O4@Alg@CPTMS@Arg exhibited highly effective catalytic activity. Apart from the catalytic activity, a study on the antibacterial activity of the prepared amino acid modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles, Fe3O4@Alg@CPTMS@Arg, was carried out on bacterial strain and compared with the antibacterial activity of the bare alginate. The results shown high antibacterial activity for the prepared nanocomposites against both Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) compared to alginate. It is assumed that the antibacterial synergism is the combined effect of alginate and L-arginine.

Surface modification of super paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles via milk casein for potential use in biomedical areas

Super paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) have proved that they have tremendous potential to use in various biomedical applications. But the surface of pure iron oxide nanoparticles so fast oxidized, that is a major drawback for biomedical applications. Covered SPIONs have good surface activity. Therefore, the first goal was to synthesize the naked SPIONs. Then we modified with 3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and trichlorotriazine (TCT). Several techniques measurements were used for characterization the size and special features of naked SPIONs and TCT modified SPIONs. These results show that the SPIONs were synthesized. After that the SPIONs are coated with casein and indicate that there is an interaction between them. Moreover, we have investigated magnetic properties and anticancer effects of casein-coated SPIONs. Therefore, we showed casein could be used to increase the biocompatibility of the surface of SPIONs. At the end, we show that bonding of dipyridamole (DIP) to the surface of casein-coated SPIONs have good magnetite properties for targeted drug delivery. We find that the release of DIP by casein-coated SPIONs-DIP was sensitive to pH. Both release curves in pH 5.5 and 7.4 showed the release of DIP by β-casein coated SPIONs-DIP better than α-casein coated SPIONs-DIP. The cell culture studies of the casein-coated SPIONs-DIP provide good anticancer effects against both breast and prostate cancer cell lines. Here, we propose a simple and inexpensive chemical method for preparation of highly biocompatible core–shell SPIONs and binding of drug for using in targeted drug delivery system. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

Homing of Super Paramagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs) Labeled Adipose-Derived Stem Cells by Magnetic Attraction in a Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease.

IntroductionStem cell therapies for neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (PD) are intended to replace lost dopaminergic neurons. The basis of this treatment is to guide the migration of transplanted cells into the target tissue or injury site. The aim of this study is an evaluation of the homing of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) labeled adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC) by an external magnetic field in a rat model of PD.MethodsADSCs were obtained from perinephric regions of male adult rats and cultured in a DMEM medium. ADSC markers were assessed by immunostaining with CD90, CD105, CD49d, and CD45. The SPION was coated using poly-L-lysine hydrobromide and transfection was determined in rat ADSC using the GFP reporter gene. For this in vivo study, rats with PD were divided into five groups: a positive control group, a control group with PD (lesion with 6-HD injection), and three treatment groups: the PD/ADSC group (PD transplant with ADSCs transfected by BrdU), PD/ADSC/SPION group (PD transplant with ADSCs labeled with SPION and transfected by GFP), and the PD/ADSC/SPION/EM group (PD transplant with ADSCs labeled with SPION and transfected by GFP induced with external magnet).ResultsADSCs were immunoreactive to fat markers CD90 (90.73±1.7), CD105 (87.4±2.9) and CD49d (79.6±2.6), with negative immunostaining at the hematopoietic stem cell marker (CD45: 1.4±0.4). The efficiency of cells with SPION/PLL was about 96% of ADSC. The highest number of GFP-positive cells was in the ADSC/SPION/EM group (54.5±1.3), which was significantly different from that in ADSC/SPION group (30.83±3 and P<0.01).ConclusionTransfection of ADSC by SPION/PLL is an appropriate protocol for cell therapy. External magnets can be used for the delivery and homing of transplanted stem cells in the target tissue.

Detection of hydroxyaromatics in a superior manner by a water soluble fluorescent iron-complex

The fluorescence detection of phenolic compounds and a way to crystallize out iron ions and phenolic compounds from aqueous solution are investigated. A water soluble iron complex (N,N'-bis(3-imidazolium-1-ylpropyl)naphthalenediimide)di[bis-2,6-pyridinedicarboxylateferrate] (1) having a cationic part as fluorescent species, where the cationic fluorescent part is not in direct contact with the paramagnetic iron (3+) ion is used to detect phenolic compounds in water. The iron-complex also forms inclusion complex with phenolic compounds providing a conceptual means to remove the phenolic pollutants from solution. The fluorescence emission of the complex in aqueous solution is quenched by various hydroxyaromatic compounds and provides means for their detection. The detection limits to detect common phenolic compounds are in the range 0.39 μM to 0.66 μM. The quenching constant for 2,4,6-trinitrophenol by the complex is 3.98 × 106 mol−1 which is at par with several other good quenchers used for such detection. Structural study on the inclusion complexes showed selective formation of 1:1 inclusion complex of 1 with 1,4-dihydroxybenzene, but a 1:2 inclusion complex with phenolic compounds namely 1,3,5-trihydroxybenzene, 3-nitrophenol, 4-nitrophenol. The structural study and the conformational adjustments of the inclusion complexes are presented. The formation of different inclusion complexes in one-pot provided a means to crystallize out iron ions and nitrophenols simultaneously.

Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs) for Diagnosis and Treatment of Breast, Ovarian and Cervical Cancers

The potential of Super Paramagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs) as theranostic agents for cancer has been investigated extensively. SPIONS can be utilized for diagnostic imaging, drug delivery as well as for therapeutic applications. SPIONS are of particular interest because of their potential for non-invasive diagnosis and non-invasive therapeutic applications. This article is a review of in vivo and clinical studies of SPIONs for diagnosis and treatment of breast, ovarian and cervical cancer. The current limitations of this technology with relation to clinical therapeutic applications and the potential to overcome these limitations are also discussed. NCBI Pubmed was searched for relevant documents by using keyword and MESH based search. The following keyword combinations were used: 'breast cancer' and SPION, 'ovarian cancer' and SPION, and 'cervical cancer' and SPION. The resulting list was manually scanned for the studies involving clinical and in vivo studies. The 29 most relevant publications were identified and reviewed. Although numerous in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of the use of SPIONs for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications, there is relatively little progress towards translation to clinical applications involving breast, ovarian and cervical cancer.

Magnetic properties and thermal stability of polyvinylidene fluoride—Fe2O3 nanocomposites

Abstract

Morphology study of SPIONs coated apoferritin using small-angle neutron/X-ray scattering and transmission electron microscopy

The morphology structure of super paramagnetic iron nanoparticle (Fe3O4/γ-Fe2O3) or SPIONs coated by apoferritin was studied to understand the ability of apoferritin in coating iron oxide. The system was synthesized in a solution to approach the human body’s physiological condition. Small-angle neutron and x-ray scattering (SANS and SAXS) techniques were conducted to reveal the nanostructure of the nanoparticle. The fractal structure was observed by SANS for the SPIONs itself, with the diameter of the building sphere was 2.8 nm. Meanwhile, the SAXS data suited a model of the polydisperse sphere, which assumed as the existence of coated and non-coated SPIONs apoferritin and free apoferritin itself. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) data confirmed the assumption and concluded that apoferritin unable to cover all the iron oxide.

Green synthesis of near-infrared absorbing eugenate capped iron oxide nanoparticles for photothermal application

Nanomaterials exhibit different interesting physical, chemical, electronic and magnetic properties that can be used in a variety of biomedical applications such as molecular imaging, cancer therapy, biosensing, and targeted drug delivery. Among various types of nanoparticles, super paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) have emerged as exogenous contrast agents for in vitro and in vivo deep tissue imaging. Here, we propose a facile, rapid, non-toxic, and cost-effective single step green synthesis method to fabricate eugenate (4-allyl-2-methoxyphenolate) capped iron oxide nanoparticles (E-capped IONPs). The magnetic E-capped IONPs are first time synthesized using a medicinal aromatic plant, Pimenta dioica. The Pimenta dioica leaf extract was used as a natural reducing agent for E-capped IONPs synthesis. The crystalline structure and size of the synthesized spherical nanoparticles were confirmed using the x-ray diffraction and electron microscopic images respectively. In addition, the presence of the functional groups, responsible for capping and stabilizing the synthesized nanoparticles, were identified by the Fourier transform infra-red spectrum. These nanoparticles were found to be safe for human cervical cancer (HeLa) and human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK 293) cell lines and their safety was established using MTT[3-(4, 5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide] assay. These green synthesized E-capped IONPs display a distinct absorbance in the tissue transparent near-infrared (NIR) wavelength region. This property was used for the NIR photothermal application of E-capped IONPs. The results suggest that these E-capped IONPs could be used for deep tissue photothermal therapy along with its application as an exogenous contrast agent in biomedical imaging.

Utilization of gum polysaccharide of Araucaria heterophylla and Azadirachta indica for encapsulation of cyfluthrin loaded super paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for mosquito larvicidal activity

Surface engineering of super paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) favor the tagging of any molecule or compound onto it, encapsulating them with a biopolymer make them biocompatible and favor slow release of loaded molecules. Recovery of SPIONs is easier as they obey to external magnetic field. In this study, SPIONS were used for mosquito larvicidal activity after surface engineered with oleic acid to favor the tagging of Cyfluthrin (mosquito larvicidal agent), it was then encapsulated with gum polysaccharide derived from Azadirachta indica and Araucaria heterophylla. Every stage of coreshell formation was microscopically and spectroscopically characterized. The coreshell SPIONs produced using Azadirachta indica and Araucaria heterophylla gum derived polysaccharide encapsulation were found to be the size around 80 nm. Thus, prepared coreshell SPIONs was subjected for mosquito larvicidal activity against Culex sp. The coreshell SPIONs was efficiently killing the mosquito larva and its impact was studied by percentage mortality studies.

In Vivo MRI Tracking of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Labeled with Ultrasmall Paramagnetic Iron Oxide Particles after Intramyocardial Transplantation in Patients with Chronic Ischemic Heart Disease.

Background While regenerative stem cell therapy for ischemic heart disease has moved into phase 3 studies, little is still known about retention and migration of cell posttransplantation. In human studies, the ability to track transplanted cells has been limited to labeling with radioisotopes and tracking using nuclear imaging. This method is limited by low resolution and short half-lives of available radioisotopes. Longitudinal tracking using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of myocardial injected cells labeled with iron oxide nanoparticles has shown promising results in numerous preclinical studies but has yet to be evaluated in human studies. We aimed to evaluate MRI tracking of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) labeled with ultrasmall paramagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) nanoparticles after intramyocardial transplantation in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD). Methods Five no-option patients with chronic symptomatic IHD underwent NOGA-guided intramyocardial transplantation of USPIO-labeled MSCs. Serial MRI scans were performed to track labeled cells both visually and using semiautomated T2∗ relaxation time analysis. For safety, we followed symptoms, quality of life, and myocardial function for 6 months. Results USPIO-labeled MSCs were tracked for up to 14 days after transplantation at injection sites both visually and using semiautomated regional T2∗ relaxation time analysis. Labeling of MSCs did not impair long-term safety of treatment. Conclusion This was a first-in-man clinical experience aimed at evaluating the utility of MRI tracking of USPIO-labeled bone marrow-derived autologous MSCs after intramyocardial injection in patients with chronic IHD. The treatment was safe, and cells were detectable at injection sites up to 14 days after transplantation. Further studies are needed to clarify if MSCs migrate out of the injection area into other areas of the myocardium or if injected cells are washed out into the peripheral circulation. The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03651791.

In-vitro prostate cancer biomarker detection by directed conjugation of anti-PSCA antibody to super paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticless

In-vitro prostate cancer biomarker detection by directed conjugation of anti-PSCA antibody to super paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticless

Conversion of a Fleeting Open‐Shell Iron Nitride into an Iron Nitrosyl

Terminal metal nitrides have been proposed as key intermediates in a series of pivotal chemical transformations. However, exploring the chemical activity of transient tetragonal iron(V) nitrides is largely impeded by their facile dimerization in fluid solutions. Herein, in situ EPR and Mössbauer investigations are presented of unprecedented oxygenation of a paramagnetic iron(V) nitrido intermediate, [FeVN(cyclam‐ac)]+ (2, cyclam‐ac−=1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane‐1‐acetate anion), yielding an iron nitrosyl complex, [Fe(NO)(cyclam‐ac)]+ (3). Further theoretical studies suggest that during the reaction a closed‐shell singlet O atom is transferred to 2. Consequently, the N−O bond formation does not follow a radical coupling mechanism proposed for the N−N bond formation but is accomplished by three mutual electron‐transfer pathways between 2 and the O atom donor, thanks to the ambiphilic nature of 2.

Conversion of a Fleeting Open‐Shell Iron Nitride into an Iron Nitrosyl

AbstractTerminal metal nitrides have been proposed as key intermediates in a series of pivotal chemical transformations. However, exploring the chemical activity of transient tetragonal iron(V) nitrides is largely impeded by their facile dimerization in fluid solutions. Herein, in situ EPR and Mössbauer investigations are presented of unprecedented oxygenation of a paramagnetic iron(V) nitrido intermediate, [FeVN(cyclam‐ac)]+ (2, cyclam‐ac−=1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane‐1‐acetate anion), yielding an iron nitrosyl complex, [Fe(NO)(cyclam‐ac)]+ (3). Further theoretical studies suggest that during the reaction a closed‐shell singlet O atom is transferred to 2. Consequently, the N−O bond formation does not follow a radical coupling mechanism proposed for the N−N bond formation but is accomplished by three mutual electron‐transfer pathways between 2 and the O atom donor, thanks to the ambiphilic nature of 2.

Biogenic synthesis of PdNCs embedded α-Fe2O3 microspheres using Myrtus cumini L. leaf extract and a Box-Behnken optimization of its Fenton-like catalytic activity

&lt;p&gt;Microspheres (MSs) of paramagnetic iron oxide (α-Fe2O3) embedded with palladium nanocubes (PdNCs) were biosynthesized using Myrtus cumini L. leaf extract. The synthesized PdNCs embedded α-Fe2O3 microspheres were characterized using FTIR, XRD and SEM/EDX. The FTIR spectrum of the Myrtus cumini L. leaf extract confirmed the presence of phenol, ester and amine groups that were involved in the bio-reduction of PdCl2 to PdNCs. SEM/EDX revealed that the PdNCs with size range of 15–250 nm were present on the surface of the synthesized microspheres. Box-Behnken Design (BBD) was employed for optimization of Methyl Orange (MO) decolorization using α-Fe2O3MSs and PdNCs embedded α-Fe2O3MSs at pH (1, 2 and 3), catalyst dosage (1, 3 and 5 g L-1) and reaction irradiation time (30, 60 and 90 min). It was found that PdNCs embedded α-Fe2O3MSs had maximum decolorization of 96.56 % at pH 1.72, catalyst dosage 2.69 g L-1 and irradiation time 68.34 min.&lt;/p&gt;&#x0D;