Decoloration of methylene blue by heterogeneous Fenton-like oxidation on Fe 3 O 4 /SiO 2 /C nanospheres in neutral environment

Abstract Surface modification of Fe 3 O 4 is an efficient strategy to improve its Fenton-like catalytic activity. In this study, the dispersible Fe 3 O 4 cores were coated with SiO 2 and C to prepare Fe 3 O 4 /SiO 2 /C nanospheres (FSCNS) for Fenton-like catalysis. FSCNS showed high catalytic activity in the pH range of 4–9. The dispersible formulation made FSCNS more efficient than aggregated Fe 3 O 4 /SiO 2 /C nanocomposites. Increasing the FSCNS amount, H 2 O 2 concentration and temperature would accelerate the Fenton-like reaction. The radicals generated in the Fenton-like reaction was used for the decoloration of cationic dye methylene blue and showed good tolerance to radical scavenger t -butanol. After decoloration, FSCNS could be easily washed for regeneration. The implication to the applications of FSCNS in water treatment is discussed.