Laccase Immobilization on Poly(p-Phenylenediamine)/Fe3O4 Nanocomposite for Reactive Blue 19 Dye Removal

Magnetic poly(p-phenylenediamine) (PpPD) nanocomposite was synthesized via mixing p-phenylenediamine solution and Fe3O4 nanoparticles and used as a carrier for immobilized enzymes. Successful synthesis of PpPD/Fe3O4 nanofiber was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Laccase (Lac) was immobilized on the surface of PpPD/Fe3O4 nanofiber through covalent bonding for reactive blue 19 dye removal. The immobilized Lac-nanofiber conjugates could be recovered from the reaction solution using a magnet. The optimum reaction pH and temperature for the immobilized Lac were 3.5 and 65 degrees C, respectively. The storage, operational stability, and thermal stability of the immobilized Lac were higher than those of its free counterpart. The dye removal efficiency of immobilized Lac was about 80% in the first 1 h of incubation, while that of free Lac was about 20%. It was found that the unique electronic properties of PpPD might underlie the high dye removal efficiency of immobilized Lac. Over a period of repeated operation, the dye removal efficiency was above 90% during the first two cycles and remained at about 43% after eight cycles. Immobilized Lac on PpPD/Fe3O4 nanofiber showed high stability, easy recovery, reuse capabilities, and a high removal efficiency for reactive blue 19 dye; therefore, it provides an optional tool for dye removal from wastewater.