Magnetite-supported hematin as a biomimetic of Horseradish peroxidase in phenol removal by polymerization

Phenol removal using HRP and hematin as a biomimetic of HRP has been studied under various conditions at room temperature. The best results were obtained with treatment in two steps, with double addition of HRP or hematin and a final treatment with activated carbon. This two-step treatment achieved a minimum of 90% conversion of the initial phenol, under conditions commonly found in wastewaters (from 400 up to 1500 ppm phenol). Other additives such as chitosan, cellulose or polyethylene glycol (PEG) gave no satisfactory results.

Hematin and magnetite-supported hematin showed comparable activities in phenol removal from aqueous solution. The supported hematin is an interesting alternative to HRP for practical application of a biomimetic catalyst for phenol removal.