Fe3O4/SiO2/C nanocomposites for the fenton-like disinfection of Escherichia coli in water

Fenton-like reaction is efficiently catalyzed by Fe3O4 nanoparticles for water treatment, but the performance of Fe3O4–H2O2 system for bacteria inactivation has not been explored. Herein, we prepared Fe3O4/SiO2/C nanocomposites (FSCNC) as catalyst for the Fenton-like disinfection of Escherichia coli in water. FSCNC catalyzed the decomposition of H2O2 to oxidize the E. coli cells. FSCNC–H2O2 system was applicable in a wide and near neutral pH range of 4.5-8.5 for bacteria disinfection. The inactivation efficiency was regulated by the inoculation number, FSCNC amount and initial H2O2 concentration. The presence of FSCNC on E. coli surface was identified by energy-dispersive x-ray spectrometers under both scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The inactivation mechanism was attributed to hydroxyl radical generation that oxidized the bacteria. Our results suggested that Fe3O4 nanomaterials could be a new material platform for bacteria inactivation in water treatment.