One-step electrochemical synthesis of γ-Fe2O3@MIL-88a magnetic composite for heterogeneous Fenton-like catalysis

We report a new one-step room-temperature electrochemical synthesis of γ-Fe 2 O 3 @MIL-88a magnetic composite. Anode from metallic iron was used as Fe-source. We did not use any toxic or hazardous solvents. A careful, comprehensive characterization of the obtained material was applied, including a synchrotron experiment. The γ-Fe 2 O 3 @MIL-88a composite comprised diamond-like MIL-88a crystals of 100–300 nm covered with γ-Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles. This component provided a magnetic response to the synthesized material. Moreover, γ-Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles boosted semiconductor MOF crystals. As a result, the γ-Fe 2 O 3 @MIL-88a composite demonstrated superior photocatalytic performance toward methylene blue degradation. MIL-88a crystals acted as photo-Fenton catalysts activating H 2 O 2 decomposition with the production of active •OH radicals. Easy magnetic separation and visible-light activated photocatalytic properties make γ-Fe 2 O 3 @MIL-88a composite a promising system for removing organic dyes from contaminated water according to the photo-Fenton process.