Magnetic Nanoscaled Fe3O4 as an Efficient and Reusable Heterogeneous Catalyst for Degradation of Methyl Orange in Microwave-Enhanced Fenton-Like System

In this study, the Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were synthesized as heterogeneous catalysts to effectively degrade methyl orange. The coulping method of microwave irradiation and Fenton-like reaction was used for degradation of methyl orange waste water. The effects of Fe3O4 dosage, initial H2O2 concentration, catalyst cycles, reaction temperature and so on were assessed systematically. The experimental results showed that the microwave-assisted Fenton-like process using H2O2/Fe3O4 was the most effective treatment process compared with other traditional methods. According to degradation of methyl orange, it has been found that the oxidation by Fenton-likes reagent is dependent on Fe3O4 dosage, H2O2 dosage, reaction temperature. The results indicate that under the optimal conditions, the removal rate of methyl orange could reach nearly 100%. Moreover, six cyclic tests for methyl orange degradation showed that the magnetic catalyst was very stable, recoverable, highly active, and easy to separate using an external magnet. Hence, the coulping method of microwave irradiation and Fenton-like reaction with magnetic nanomaterials of Fe3O4 as the catalyst has potential use in organic pollutant removal.