Hybrid iron-based core–shell magnetic catalysts for fast degradation of bisphenol A in aqueous systems

• Novel magnetic Fenton catalysts were synthesized by inexpensive and facile chemical route.
• The hybrid nanocatalysts possess Fe (II/III) ions immobilized on Fe3O4/chitosan surface.
• The obtained core–shell photo-active catalysts are stable, eco-friendly, recyclable.
• The heterogeneous catalysts were highly effective in complete BPA removal in 15 min.

Three types of hybrid modified magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles, functionalized with either chitosan, chitosan/iron (II) oxalate or chitosan/iron (III) citrate, were synthesized by chemical precipitation method. The obtained nanomaterials were characterized by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and vibrating sample magnetometry. The prepared composites were further tested as magnetic catalysts for the removal of bisphenol A (BPA) in aqueous media. The kinetic degradation experiments were performed at laboratory scale, while the best operational parameters for all three materials were established: 1.00 g L−1 of catalyst, 10 mmol L−1 H2O2, under simulated solar light irradiation. After 15 min of UVA irradiation under the experimental conditions mentioned above, it was possible to decompose up to 99% of the micropollutant over all catalysts. Fe3O4/chitosan/iron oxalate catalyst showed the highest and fastest catalytic activity in BPA removal. Catalytic wet peroxide oxidation of non-biodegradable micropollutants on such iron-based hybrid nanoparticles can be a suitable pre-treatment method for wastewater decontamination, as an environment-friendly simplified approach for water clean-up.