Enzymatic removal of chlorophenols using horseradish peroxidase immobilized on superparamagnetic Fe3O4/graphene oxide nanocomposite

Magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles were successfully deposited on graphene oxide sheets by ultrasound-assisted coprecipitation. The nanoparticles were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The synthesized material was used as a support for the immobilization of horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The removals of 2-chlorophenol, 4-chlorophenol, and 2,4-dichlorophenol using the immobilized HRP were investigated. Batch degradation studies were used to determine the effects of the initial solution pH values, reaction temperature, reaction time, H2O2 and chlorophenol concentrations, and immobilized enzyme dosage on the removal of chlorophenols. The different numbers and positions of electron-withdrawing substituents affected the chlorophenol removal efficiency; the order of the removal efficiencies was 2-chlorophenol < 4-chlorophenol < 2,4-dichlorophenol. The oxidation products formed during chlorophenol degradation were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The biochemical properties of the immobilized HRP were investigated; the results indicated that the storage stability and tolerance to changes in pH and temperature of the immobilized HRP were better than those of free HRP. The nanoparticles were recovered using an external magnetic field, and the immobilized HRP retained 66% of its initial activity for the first four cycles, showing that the immobilized HRP had moderate stability. These results suggest that the immobilized enzyme has potential application in wastewater treatment.

Graphical AbstractHorseradish peroxidase (HRP) was immobilized on superparamagnetic Fe3O4/graphene oxide and used for enzymatic removal of chlorophenols. The immobilized enzyme had high stability and was recovered by magnetic separation.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide