Fe3O4 nanoparticles were grown in situ on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by a solvothermal method. The Fe3O4/CNTs composites were characterised by the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method and transmission electron microscopy. The results indicated that the Fe3O4 nanoparticles were uniformly deposited on CNTs, and the average diameter was approximately 7.0 nm. The Fe3O4/CNTs were applied as an enzyme mimetic to decompose Orange II, and the decomposing conditions were optimised. At 500 mg L(-1) of Fe3O4/CNTs in the presence of 15.0 mmol L(-1) of H2O2, at 30°C, it degraded 94.0% of Orange II (0.25 mmol L(-1), pH = 3.5), showing higher catalytic activity than pure Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The high activity was attributed to the uniform Fe3O4 nanoparticles growing on the side walls of the CNTs and the synergetic effect between Fe3O4 and CNTs. The Fe3O4/CNTs maintained their activity at temperatures as high as 65°C. The Fe3O4/CNTs presented high reusability and stability even after eight uses. These data proved that the Fe3O4/CNTs-catalysed degradation is a promising technique for wastewater treatment. Fe3O4 nanoparticles were grown in situ on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by a solvothermal method. The Fe3O4/CNTs was applied as a mimetic enzyme to decompose Orange II. The Fe3O4/CNTs were collected after the reaction by applying an external magnetic field and can use repeatedly.
Keywords: Fe3O4/CNTs; Orange II; catalytic activity; enzyme mimetic degradation.