Preparation of nanostructured magnetite with plasma for degradation of a cationic textile dye by the heterogeneous Fenton process

The surface and catalytic properties of natural magnetite were modified using plasma treatment, and were characterized using X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, N2 adsorption-desorption, and scanning electron microscopy. The results show the production of nanostructured magnetite, from its natural particles, with an average diameter in the range of 20-40 nm. The application of nanostructured magnetite in a heterogeneous Fenton process was investigated in the degradation of Basic Blue 3 (BB3) as a model pollutant in aqueous solution. The effects of operational parameters were studied with respect to decolorization efficiency. The application of a nanostructured magnetite catalyst allows the Fenton process to be operated at milder pH conditions (a pH of 5). A decolorization efficiency of 96% in the presence of plasma-treated magnetite was approximately two times higher than that of untreated magnetite. Negligible iron leaching and a simple separation of used catalyst using an external magnetite field are merits of using plasma-treated magnetite in heterogeneous Fenton process.