Polymer-encapsulated iron oxide nanoparticles as highly efficient Fenton catalysts

Fe3O4–poly(3,4-ethylene-dioxythiophene) (PEDOT) core-shell nanoparticles as heterogeneous Fenton catalysts were synthesized by acid etching-mediated chemical oxidation polymerization. Compared with pristine Fe3O4 nanoparticles or commercialized iron oxide nanopowder, Fe3O4–PEDOT core-shell nanoparticles demonstrated outstanding catalytic performance for the degradation of Reactive Black 5 (RB5) and Orange II. In the case of the degradation of RB5, Fe3O4–PEDOT core-shell nanoparticles had an approximately 2.5 times higher catalytic activity than commercialized Fe3O4 nanopowder. In addition, the ultrathin PEDOT shell can suppress leaching of iron cation through coordination formation, facilitating the catalytic reaction in the confined region of the nanoparticle surface.