A novel biomimetic catalyst constructed by axial coordination of hemin with PAN fiber for efficient degradation of organic dyes

A novel biomimetic catalyst was synthesized by supporting hemin onto the amidoximated polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fiber and then used for the oxidative degradation of organic dyes by H2O2 activation. SEM, FTIR and XPS results suggested that the OH and NH2 in amidoxime groups were responsible for hemin immobilization through axial coordination bonds. The fibrous support significantly enhanced the catalytic activity and pH tolerance of pure hemin, and the prepared catalyst also exhibited excellent recycling capability. In addition, the effect of axial ligands on the catalytic mechanism was clarified by employing the modified PAN fiber with amidrazones groups as the support of hemin, and the possible catalytic mechanism was proposed and discussed based on the ESR measurement combined with a series of designed experiments. It is found that OH and NH2 as axial ligands of hemin might induce H2O2 activation through two different pathways, corresponding to the generation of Fe(IV)=O and ·OH species, respectively.