Optimization of the photocatalytic degradation of phenol using superparamagnetic iron oxide (FeO) nanoparticles in aqueous solutions.

The present work was carried out to remove phenol from aqueous medium using a photocatalytic process with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (FeO) called SPIONs. The photocatalytic process was optimized using a central composite design based on the response surface methodology. The effects of pH (3-7), UV/SPION nanoparticles ratio (1-3), contact time (30-90 minutes), and initial phenol concentration (20-80 mg L) on the photocatalytic process were investigated.