An, S., Yoon, Y., Ahn, J. H., Kim, D., Weon, H. Y., Kim, Y. E., ... & Yang, Y. (2023). Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 11(2), 109349.
Fe(III)-citrate, a soluble iron complex, has been applied as a catalytic source of Fe(III) in Bio-Fenton reactions for the oxidative degradation of bisphenol A (BPA), a widely used plastic additive. The Bio-Fenton system employed Fe(III)-citrate in combination with glucose oxidase (GOx, 10 U) and glucose (32 mM) to generate hydrogen peroxide in situ at pH 5.3. This reaction facilitated the formation of hydroxyl radicals (·OH) at steady-state concentrations of 0.15-1.1 × 10⁻¹⁶ M, enabling oxidative degradation of BPA via hydroxylation, C-C bond cleavage between aromatic rings, and subsequent conversion to low-molecular-weight carboxylic acids.
Experimental procedure: 30 mL of citrate-phosphate buffer (50 mM, pH 5.3) was combined with BPA (0.1 mM), Fe(III)-citrate (0.5 mM), GOx, and glucose in sealed 150 mL serum bottles. Control reactions without one or more components were run in parallel. The mixture was incubated at 30 °C with agitation (120 rpm) until H₂O₂ was fully consumed. Periodic sampling allowed quantification of residual BPA and H₂O₂, while degradation products were characterized after heat inactivation of GOx.
Results demonstrated that Fe(III)-citrate effectively catalyzed hydroxyl radical formation, achieving 80 % degradation of BPA over 10 days. Second-order rate constants ranged from 1.39-2.38 × 10⁹ M⁻¹ s⁻¹. The study highlights Fe(III)-citrate as a versatile catalyst in enzymatically driven Fenton-like systems, offering a promising approach for environmentally relevant degradation of phenolic pollutants. Its compatibility with biological oxidase systems underscores potential applications in wastewater treatment and environmental remediation.
Qu, Yongping, et al. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 688 (2025): 204-214.
To explore efficient strategies for constructing highly active oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts, ferric citrate was employed as a key precursor to supply Fe³⁺ ions for NiFe layered double hydroxide (LDH) growth. Simultaneously, citric acid acted as a carbon source to generate carbon quantum dots (CQDs), which could modulate the electronic structure and surface morphology of the composite. The following hydrothermal procedure was designed to integrate ferric citrate and citric acid on nickel foam substrates, ensuring uniform nanosheet formation and enhanced electrocatalytic properties.
Experimental Procedure:
1. Solution preparation: 1 mmol of ferric citrate was dissolved in 30 mL of deionized water and absolute ethanol mixed solution (1:1 v/v). Citric acid (0.1, 0.3, or 0.5 mmol) was added to facilitate in-situ formation of CQDs.
2. Substrate immersion: Cleaned nickel foam (NF) substrates were immersed in the prepared solution and transferred to a Teflon-lined hydrothermal reactor.
3. Hydrothermal reaction: The reactor was heated at 180 °C for 8 h, allowing Fe³⁺ from ferric citrate to participate in NiFe-LDH formation and CQDs to decorate the surface, modulating morphology and electronic structure.
4. Post-treatment: The products were washed with deionized water and ethanol, then dried in a vacuum oven at 60 °C for 6 h. Control samples without ferric citrate or citric acid were prepared under identical conditions.
This approach highlights ferric citrate's dual role in structural assembly and functional enhancement, producing CQDs@NiFe-LDH composites with excellent OER activity and stability.
Zhao, B., & Yang, J. (2024). RSC advances, 14(22), 15582-15590.
The development of efficient and cost-effective catalysts for advanced oxidation processes is critical for the degradation of recalcitrant water pollutants. In this context, ferric citrate was employed as an inexpensive and environmentally friendly precursor for the synthesis of Fe/C catalysts through a high-temperature carbonization approach. This strategy leverages ferric citrate as both the iron source and carbon-rich ligand, enabling simultaneous formation of metallic iron nanoparticles embedded within a carbon matrix, essential for persulfate activation.
Experimental Procedure:
1. Material preparation: A measured amount of ferric citrate was spread evenly in a quartz boat to ensure uniform pyrolysis.
2. Tube furnace carbonization: The quartz boat was placed in a tube furnace with continuous nitrogen flow to maintain an inert atmosphere. Pyrolysis was conducted at target temperatures of 700, 800, 900, and 1000 °C, with a heating ramp of 5 °C min⁻¹ and a 2-hour hold time to promote Fe/C formation.
3. Post-treatment: The resulting solid products were removed, ground, and sieved through a 200-mesh sieve to achieve uniform particle size.
4. Storage: The obtained Fe/C catalysts were labeled according to pyrolysis temperature (Fe/C-700, Fe/C-800, Fe/C-900, Fe/C-1000) and stored in vacuum-sealed bags to prevent oxidation.
This straightforward high-temperature carbonization route highlights ferric citrate's dual functionality, efficiently yielding Fe/C composites capable of activating persulfates for advanced oxidation reactions. The process offers advantages in cost reduction, simplicity, and environmental compatibility, presenting ferric citrate as a promising precursor for scalable catalyst production in water treatment applications.
What is the chemical formula for Ferric citrate?
The chemical formula for Ferric citrate is Fe(C6H8O7)3.
What color is Ferric citrate?
Ferric citrate is Dark Orange to Very Dark Orange in color.
What is the melting point of Ferric citrate?
The melting point of Ferric citrate is greater than 300°C.
In what form is Ferric citrate stored?
Ferric citrate is stored in red-brown crystals form.
What is the MW (molecular weight) of Ferric citrate?
The MW of Ferric citrate is 247.97.
How is Ferric citrate used in cell culture?
Ferric citrate is a component of protein-free medium and used as a substitute for transferrin in cell culture.
What is the primary efficacy variable studied in the Phase III clinical program of Ferric citrate?
The primary efficacy variable studied was the change in serum phosphorus levels from baseline to the end of the treatment period.
What is the mechanism of action of Ferric citrate in reducing phosphate absorption?
Ferric citrate reduces intestinal phosphate absorption by precipitating phosphate in the intestine, similar to other phosphate-binding salts.
What is the side effect commonly experienced by patients taking Ferric citrate?
The common side effect of Ferric citrate is a dark discoloration of stool.
How is the safety and tolerability of Ferric citrate compared to other phosphate-binding agents?
Ferric citrate appears to be well tolerated, with minor gastrointestinal adverse events, similar to other phosphate-binding agents.