Fe(3)O(4)@C Nanoparticles Synthesized by In Situ Solid-Phase Method for Removal of Methylene Blue

Fe(3)O(4)@C nanoparticles were prepared by an in situ, solid-phase reaction, without any precursor, using FeSO(4), FeS(2), and PVP K30 as raw materials. The nanoparticles were utilized to decolorize high concentrations methylene blue (MB). The results indicated that the maximum adsorption capacity of the Fe3O4@C nanoparticles was 18.52 mg/g, and that the adsorption process was exothermic. Additionally, by employing H(2)O(2) as the initiator of a Fenton-like reaction, the removal efficiency of 100 mg/L MB reached ~99% with Fe(3)O(4)@C nanoparticles, while that of MB was only ~34% using pure Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles. The mechanism of H(2)O(2) activated on the Fe(3)O(4)@C nanoparticles and the possible degradation pathways of MB are discussed. The Fe(3)O(4)@C nanoparticles retained high catalytic activity after five usage cycles. This work describes a facile method for producing Fe(3)O(4)@C nanoparticles with excellent catalytic reactivity, and therefore, represents a promising approach for the industrial production of Fe(3)O(4)@C nanoparticles for the treatment of high concentrations of dyes in wastewater.