Optimisation of graphene oxide-iron oxide nanocomposite in heterogeneous Fenton-like oxidation of Acid Orange 7

Well-dispersed iron oxide nanoparticles supported onto graphene oxide sheets (i.e. GO-Fe3O4 nanocomposite) were synthesised and used as heterogeneous Fenton-like catalyst for the degradation of Acid Orange 7 dye (AO7). The reaction was systematically investigated under various experimental conditions such as nanocomposite dosage, pH, temperature, oxidant and dye concentrations. Best results showed a fast 80% degradation in similar to 20 min, whilst similar to 98% of AO7 was successfully removed after 180 min of reaction time. The degradation kinetics of AO7 was most influenced by pH and temperature, and can be described by a pseudo-first-order reaction following the Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanism. Analysis of the spent nanocomposite suggested that the phase of iron oxide nanoparticles remained unchanged whilst minor pore volume losses occurred via carbon deposition and/or re-stacking of GO sheets. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.