Nanocomposite Fe3O4-MWCNTs based on femtosecond pulsed laser ablation for catalytic degradation

Magnetite nanoparticle/multi-walled carbon nanotube composites (Fe3O4/MWCNTs) were prepared using femtosecond pulsed laser ablation of iron target immersed in functionalized MWCNTs by facile one-pot synthesis of pulsed laser ablation in liquid environmental for catalytic degradation of 4-ntrophenol from aqueous solution. The easily obtained magnetic nanocomposites were systematically characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). According to XRD, magnetite is the magnetic phase that has formed. A network of MWCNTs is seen in the FESEM image, together with nano‑iron oxides. Raman spectroscopy revealed that the reduction of the sp2 bond domains due to the strong contacts between iron oxide and MWCNT increased the D/G ratio, which may lead to structural distortions in the nanotubes. From FT-IR, the presence of new peaks in the finger print region related to Fe-O-Fe in Fe3O4, indicates that Fe3O4 has been successfully loaded onto the surface of MWCNTs. In addition, the prepared magnetic nanocomposite showed outstanding catalytic reduction activity for 4-NP when compared to MWCNTs and Fe3O4. The results demonstrated that the prepared nanocomposite could be a promising nanocatalyst for the catalytic reduction of 4-NP. The straightforward, speedy, and dependable Fe3O4/MWCNTs-based approach was found to be a possibly relevant technology for the targeted removal of pollutants and the treatment of wastewater. [Display omitted]