Synthesis of Peroxidase-Like V₂O₅ Nanoparticles for Dye Removal from Aqueous Solutions

In the present work, we used vanadium oxide nanoparticles (V₂O₅ NPs) with intrinsic peroxidase-mimic activity for the removal of malachite green (MG). V₂O₅ NPs were synthesized and characterized using different methods such as scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction technique. Enzyme-mimetic catalytic activity of V₂O₅ NPs was assessed spectrophotometrically by using a calorimetric method and the results showed the peroxidase-like activity of these particles. Kinetic parameters including K_m and V_max were calculated to be 48.31 × 10^–3 mM and 0.93 mM/min (for TMB as a substrate) and 26.47 mM and 1.39 mM/min (for H₂O₂ as a substrate), respectively. Also, decolorization of MG was investigated in the presence of prepared nanoparticles and the results indicated that the V₂O₅ NPs completed the decolorization process of MG within 2 h. These results suggest that V₂O₅ NPs, with intrinsic peroxidase-mimic activity, can be effective in decolorizing and detoxifying MG from wastewaters of food and aquaculture industries.