title: Tunable synthesis of SiO2-encapsulated zero-valent iron nanoparticles for degradation of organic dyes.
abstract: A series of nanocomposites consisting of zero-valent iron nanoparticles (ZVI NPs) encapsulated in SiO2 microspheres were successfully synthesized through a successive two-step method, i.e., the wet chemical reduction by borohydride followed by a modified Stöber method. The as-synthesized nanocomposites were characterized using X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometer, and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometer. The catalytic performance of SiO2-encapsulated ZVI nanocomposites for the degradation of organic dyes was investigated using methylene blue (MB) as the model dye in the presence of H2O2. The results showed that the degradation efficiency and apparent rate constant of the degradation reaction were significantly enhanced with increased ZVI NPs encapsulated in SiO2 microspheres, whereas the dosage of H2O2 remarkably promoted degradation rate without affecting degradation efficiency. The content-dependent magnetic property ensured the excellent magnetic separation of degradation products under an external magnet. This strategy for the synthesis of SiO2-encapsulated ZVI NPs nanocomposites was low cost and easy to scale-up for industrial production, thereby enabling promising applications in environmental remediation.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Zhou
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Qingzhi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Yushi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Jia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Long
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthetic, School of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Xiaohui
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
keywords: Catalytic degradation; Nanocomposites; Organic dye; SiO2; Zero-valent iron nanoparticles