Natural Polymer-Based Iron Oxide (Fe3O4) Synthesis, Characterization and Its Application for 1-Amino-Nitrobenzene Degradation in Assistance with Oxidants

A natural polymer-based iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanocomposite was prepared through a sonochemical-assisted precipitation method. Characterization studies such as X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy have revealed that the synthesized nanocomposites are homogenously distributed, having an average size of ~49 nm with a cubical spinel structure. The toxic 1-amino-nitrobenzene was initially treated with a sonophotochemical process in the presence of synthesized nanocomposites, resulting in lower efficiency, whereas with the addition of oxidants, the efficiency enhanced significantly. The parametric effects with respect to the initial solution pH, nanocomposites dose, 1-amino-nitrobenzene concentration, and oxidant concentration were studied, and it was found that an approximately 75% removal efficiency of 1-amino-nitrobenzene was achieved within 120 min. Further, the performance of the catalyst on the oxidation of 1-amino-nitrobenzene with sodium persulfate was also investigated, and it was found that a 95% removal efficiency was attained.