A novel Prussian blue-magnetite composite synthesized by self-template method and its application in reduction of hydrogen peroxide

A novel Prussian blue (PB)-Fe3O4 composite has been prepared for the first time by self-template method using PB as the precursor. According to this method, Fe3O4 nanoparticles distributed uniformly on the surface of PB cube. The feed ratio of sodium acetate to PB has been proved to be a key factor for magnetic properties and electro-catalysis properties of the composite. Under the experimental conditions, the saturation magnetization value (Ms) of PB-Fe3O4-2 composite was 22 emug(-1), while the Ms value of other samples reduced. The composites also showed a good peroxidase-like activity for the oxidation of substrate 3,3,5,5-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) in the presence of H2O2. The catalytic reduction of hydrogen peroxide capacity was PB-Fe3O4-1>PB-Fe3O4-2>PB-Fe3O4-3>PB-Fe3O4-0, which confirmed the Fe(II) centres in PB surface and Fe3O4 nanoparticles had synergistic effect on catalytic reduction of hydrogen peroxide.