Magnetic nanofibers for remotely triggered catalytic activity applied to the degradation of organic pollutants

• DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2023.111615
• Publication Date: 2023-01-10T01:25:21Z
• Authors: J.A. Fuentes-García; B. Sanz; R. Mallada; M.R. Ibarra; G.F. Goya
• Keywords: Electrospinning; Polyacrylonitrile; Methylene blue; Degradation

This work reports on the fabrication and characterization of a novel type electrospun magnetic nanofibers (MNFs), their application as magnetically-activable catalysts for degradation organic pollutants. The stimulation capability catalytic action is provided by iron-manganese oxide (MnxFe2-xO4) nanoparticles (MNPs) embedded into polyacrylonitrile (PAN), which provides stability chemical resistance. MNPs (average size d = 40 ± 7 nm) were first obtained green fast sonochemical route, subsequently PAN nanofibers. final MNFs showed an average diameter 760 150 nm, providing superhydrophobic surface with contact angle (θc 165°), well considerable amount (≈ 50 % wt.) (Mn0.5Fe2.5O4), thermally stable up to temperatures 330 °C. Fe2+/3+/Mn2+/3+/4+ active centers MNF's could be remotely activated alternating fields (AMF) degrade methyl blue (MB). Remarkable during heating under extreme pH conditions (3 < 10) was observed along several cycles. kinetics in presence hydrogen peroxide followed Langmuir–Hinshelwood model efficiency > 80 %, after cycles reusing same sample without any regeneration process. capacity these materials material remote activation makes them appealing those applications darkness or restrained access, where photocatalytic reaction cannot achieved.