Synthesis of dual function Fe3O4@MnO2@HKUST-1 magnetic micromotors for efficient colorimetric detection and degradation of hydroquinone

Abstract

Herein, we demonstrate a novel Fe₃O₄@MnO₂@HKUST-1 magnetic micromotor with excellent peroxidase-like activity for highly efficient colorimetric detection and degradation of hydroquinone. Such micromotors had unique flower-like morphology with highly exposed active sites. The resulting MnO₂-based micromotor was propelled by O₂ bubbles generated from hydrogen peroxide fuel catalyzed by MnO₂, and the velocity could be adjusted by the H₂O₂ fuel concentration. The self-propelled motion of the Fe₃O₄@MnO₂@HKUST-1 could effectively increase the collision probability between active sites and pollutant molecules, and thus, enhanced the sensitivity of the colorimetric detection as well as the degradation efficiency. These excellent results confirm that this Fe₃O₄@MnO₂@HKUST-1 micromotor has good prospects for future use in water treatment applications.