Fabrication of magnetic Fe3O4/silica nanofiber composites with enhanced Fenton-like catalytic performance for Rhodamine B degradation

Tiny Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles (Fe 3 O 4 NP) were successfully immobilized on the surface of porous silica nanofibers (PSNF) to form a novel hybrid Fenton-like catalyst of Fe 3 O 4 /PSNF through an in situ high-temperature decomposition method. The crystalline phase, microstructure and specific properties of Fe 3 O 4 /PSNF were characterized in detail. It was found that the Fe 3 O 4 NP with cubic spinel structure and diameter of 10–80 nm was grown on the surface of PSNF through interfacial Fe–O–Si bond. The surface of PSNF was partly covered by Fe 3 O 4 NP, which made the surface hydroxyl groups of silanol well maintained in Fe 3 O 4 /PSNF. The Fenton-like catalytic performances of Fe 3 O 4 /PSNF and naked Fe 3 O 4 NP were evaluated through a series of kinetic tests on degradation of Rhodamine B. The results show that the Fe 3 O 4 /PSNF has much higher adsorption capacity and Fenton-like catalytic activity than those of naked Fe 3 O 4 NP. Besides, the Fe 3 O 4 /PSNF also shows good stability and recyclability, and as a result, the novel catalyst is easily separated by magnetic method and reused for further reaction. It is proposed that the PSNF significantly improves the catalytic activity by making a highly dispersed Fe 3 O 4 NP and providing abundant micro/mesopores and a large surface area with strong adsorptive and hydrophilic properties.