Heterogeneous Fenton ferroferric oxide-reduced graphene oxide-based composite microjets for efficient organic dye degradation

Abstract

A global water pollution on account of organic dye waste poses serious heath threat to human beings. Graphene-based micromotors have recently attracted considerable attentions for efficient water remediation. However, a secondary catalytic degradation is required for completely destroying persistent organic dyes after their adsorption by graphene and its derivatives. Here, we immobilized ferroferric oxide (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles (NPs) with reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-based micromotors in order to synthesize heterogeneous Fenton Fe₃O₄-rGO/Pt composite microjets and to improve their catalytic performance. The as-prepared composite microjets are well propelled in contaminated waters by Pt catalyzing hydrogen peroxide. Combining the attractive properties of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and Fe₃O₄ NPs along with fascinating motor movement, the composite microjets offer an efficient removal of methylene blue in short time. This outstanding catalytic performance is ascribed to the synergistic effect of Fe₃O₄ and rGO during the heterogeneous Fenton-like reaction and the enhanced localized mixing effect during the motion. Moreover, the Fenton composite microjets are able to magnetically recovered and reused for further decontamination processes. Our proposed Fenton composite microjets with extraordinary catalytic capability and good recyclability holds considerable promise for diverse environmental applications.

Keywords: Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticle; Fenton reaction; Micromotor; Organic dye degradation; Reduced graphene oxide.