Preparation and characterization of magnetic nanofibrous composite membranes with catalytic activity

Magnetic nanofibrous composite membranes were electrospun from the mixtures of poly(acrylonitrile-co-acrylic acid) (PANCAA) and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to characterize the composite membranes. TGA results indicate that the addition of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles catalyzes the carbonization of PANCAA as well as dramatically increases the carbonization temperature. The intrinsic peroxidase-like activity of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles was measured by the color reaction of phenol/4-amino antipyrine in the presence of H₂O₂. Under optimal conditions, the electrospun composite membranes show high peroxidase-like catalytic activity and reusability. Taking into account of the potentiality for separation, these as-prepared magnetic nanofibrous composite membranes will be applied in phenolic wastewater treatment.