Investigation of nano iron oxide and its cellulose composites hybrids effect over biological phenols biodegradation
Phenolic compounds are environmental contaminants from using pesticides and disinfectants in the agricultural and domestic sectors, respectively. They can be found in wastewater, water sources and in the soil. Due to its toxicity and low biodegradability, 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 microbial extracellular electron transfers (EETs) stimulations, which can be highlighted. Thus, this work aims to prepare a hybrid of cellulose and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (SPION), such as magnetite (Fe3O4), seeking to evaluate its effects on the stimulation of EETs (enzymatic) during the degradation of phenolic compounds by aerobic biostimulation. The obtained composites were characterized by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), 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). It evaluated the correlation between the material dosage and the contaminant removal and its influence on the kinetics of phenolic pollutant degradation, seeking to identify the degradation route from the phenolic compounds degrading microorganisms and the applied nanomaterials.