Biosynthesized iron-based nanoparticles used as a heterogeneous catalyst for the removal of 2,4-dichlorophenol

Abstract Iron-based nanoparticles (Fe NPs) synthesized by Euphorbia cochinchensis leaves extracts and used for degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) were investigated. The TEM image indicated Fe NPs were spherical and uniformly dispersed particles with a diameter of about 100 nm. The XPS results indicated Fe NPs consisted mainly of Fe(III), Fe(II), iron oxide and hydroxide. Results confirmed that the efficiency to remove 2,4-DCP was 20.6% by adsorption. The efficiency increased to 51.9% when Fe NPs were used as Fenton-like catalyst in the presence of H 2 O 2 . However, the removal efficiency of 2,4-DCP reached up to 64.0% when adsorption and Fenton-like oxidation were integrated. The kinetic data fitted well with the pseudo - second-order kinetic model of adsorption, while the Fenton-like process fitted the pseudo-first-order oxidation model. Furthermore, the degraded products were detected by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC–MS) to verify the mechanisms of degradation. It is concluded that removal of 2,4-DCP via adsorption/Fenton-like oxidation.