Size-dependent peroxidase-like catalytic activity of Fe3O4 nanoparticles

Peroxidase-like catalytic properties of Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) with three different sizes, synthesized by chemical coprecipitation and sol–gel methods, were investigated by UV–vis spectrum analysis. By comparing Fe3O4 NPs with average diameters of 11, 20, and 150 nm, we found that the catalytic activity increases with the reduced nanoparticle size. The electrochemical method to characterize the catalytic activity of Fe3O4 NPs using the response currents of the reaction product and substrate was also developed.