Synthesis of cost-effective magnetic nano-biocomposites mimicking peroxidase activity for remediation of dyes

The present study describes preparation of cellulose incorporated magnetic nano-biocomposites (CNPs) by using cellulose as base material. The prepared CNPs were characterised by SEM, EDAX, TEM, XRD, and FT-IR and found to exhibit an intrinsic peroxidase-like activity with a K_m and V_max of 550 μM and 3.8 μM/ml/min, respectively. The CNPs exhibited higher pH and thermal stability compared to commercial peroxidase. These nanocomposites were able to completely remove (i) a persistent azo dye, methyl orange at a concentration of 50 ppm, within 60 min under acidic conditions (pH 3.0) and also (ii) decolourize commercial textile dye mixture under acidic conditions within 30 min. CNP-mediated degradation of dyes into simple products was further confirmed by UV-Vis and AT-IR spectroscopy The added advantage of CNPs separation after decolourization by simple magnet due to their magnetic properties and consequent reusability makes them fairy attractive system for dye remediation from environmental samples or textile industries effluents.