One-step fabrication of Fe3O4-Cu nanocomposites: High-efficiency and low-cost catalysts for reduction of 4-nitrophenol

Transition metal Cu nanocrystals have shown promising prospects for degrading organic pollutants. Herein, high efficiency Fe3O4-Cu nanocomposites (NCs) have been successfully synthesized though a facile one-step thermal decomposition method. With a turnover frequency of 6.4 min(-1), our Fe3O4-Cu NCs (heated temperature: 225 degrees C) could degrade the 4-nitrophenol in less than 15 s and showed almost unchanged catalytic efficiency (>90%) after recycled reactions up to six times. Furthermore, the influence of the heat treatment on the structure, elemental distribution, magnetic property and catalytic performance of Fe3O4-Cu NCs was investigated. As the temperature increased from 225 degrees C to 285 degrees C, the saturation magnetization of Fe3O4-Cu NCs decreased from 7.27 to 26.2 emu/g, owing to the enlarged mass ratio of Fe3O4 nanocrystals: Cu nanocrystals. This work provides the practical design guidance to the large-scale fabrication of high-efficiency and low-cost Fe3O4-Cu NCs catalysts, which shows promising future for degrading the nitro compounds in wastewater.

Automated summary

Transition metal Cu nanocrystals have shown promising prospects for degrading organic pollutants, and high-efficiency Fe3O4-Cu nanocomposites were successfully synthesized through a facile one-step thermal decomposition method. The Fe3O4-Cu NCs showed high turnover frequency and remained stable catalytic efficiency even after multiple cycles, with the saturation magnetization decreasing as the temperature increased. This work provides guidance for the large-scale fabrication of efficient and cost-effective Fe3O4-Cu NCs catalysts for degrading nitro compounds in wastewater.