Abstract
Acylated xylan-based magnetic Fe&sub3;O&sub4; nanocomposite hydrogels (ACX-MNP-gels) were prepared by fabricating Fe&sub3;O&sub4; nanoctahedra in situ within a hydrogel matrix which was synthesized by the copolymerization of acylated xylan (ACX) with acrylamide and N-isopropylacrylamide under ultraviolet irradiation. The size of the Fe&sub3;O&sub4; fabricated within the hydrogel matrix could be adjusted through controlling the crosslinking concentrations (C). The magnetic hydrogels showed desirable magnetic and mechanical properties, which were confirmed by XRD, Raman spectroscopy, physical property measurement system, SEM, TGA, and compression test. Moreover, the catalytic performance of the magnetic hydrogels was explored. The magnetic hydrogels (C = 7.5 wt %) presented excellent catalytic activity and provided a sensitive response to H&sub2;O&sub2; detection even at a concentration level of 5 × 10-6 mol·L-1. This approach to preparing magnetic hydrogels loaded with Fe&sub3;O&sub4; nanoparticles endows xylan-based hydrogels with new promising applications in biotechnology and environmental chemistry.