Design of a carbon nanotube/magnetic nanoparticle-based peroxidase-like nanocomplex and its application for highly efficient catalytic oxidation of phenols

We report a novel nanotechnology-based approach for the highly efficient catalytic oxidation of phenols and their removal from wastewater. We use a nanocomplex made of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). This nanocomplex retains the magnetic properties of individual MNPs and can be effectively separated under an external magnetic field. More importantly, the formation of the nanocomplex enhances the intrinsic peroxidase-like activity of the MNPs that can catalyze the reduction of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Significantly, in the presence of H₂O₂, this nanocomplex catalyzes the oxidation of phenols with high efficiency, generating insoluble polyaromatic products that can be readily separated from water.