Effect of magnetite functionalized nanocellulose on phenolic contaminant degradation.
Phenolic compounds are environmental contaminants, which come from the use of pesticides and disinfectants in the agricultural and domestic sectors, respectively. They can be found in wastewater, water sources and in the soil. Due to the toxicity and low biodegradability of these substances, biological degradation strategies to remove these persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have sought to improve their removal in wastewater biological treatment systems. Among the most recent strategies are the extracellular electron transfers (EETs) stimulations, which can be highlighted. Thus, this work aims to prepare a cellulose and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (SPION), such as magnetite (Fe3O4) seeking to evaluate its effects on the stimulation of EETs (enzymatic) and the cometabolization of the cellulosic substrate during the (bio)degradation of phenolic compounds, by aerobic biostimulation. The as obtained composites was characterized by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS0, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy and X-rays photoelectrons excited spectroscopy (XPS). Phenol degradation was evaluated by complexation visible spectrophotometry, applying the obtained materials in phenols contaminated waters (1000 mg L-1). The correlation between the material dosage and the contaminant removal and its influence in the kinetics of phenolic pollutant degradation, it is being identified that the degradation mechanism fits well with the enzymatic action of oxidases and peroxidases of phenolic compounds degrading microorganisms.