Solvothermal synthesis of magnetic Fe3O4 nanospheres and their efficiency in photo-Fenton degradation of xylenol orange

Magnetic Fe3O4 nanospheres with a average diameter of (201±0.5) nm were synthesized at 200 °C via a solvothermal method. The as-synthesized Fe3O4 nanospheres performed an efficiency in the Fenton degradation of xylenol orange with a degradation rate of 90%—95%. Additionally, the catalyst was easily recyclable and the recovery rate was greater than 90%. Moreover, the catalyst could be regenerated under an ultrasonic treatment, and the degradation performance remained essentially the same. More importantly, the degradation rate varied with respect to the amount of H2O2 and the pH of the best reaction process. And the reaction efficiency was achieved with 1.5 mL of H2O2 in an acidic environment.