The design of new magnetic-photocatalyst nanocomposites (CoFe2O4-TiO2) as smart nanomaterials for recyclable-photocatalysis applications

摘要

The current study reports the synthesis and characterisation of a new magnetic-photocatalyst (CoFe2O4TiO2) and tests its feasibility to be used as smart magnetically-recoverable nanomaterial in the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB). 3D urchin-like TiO2 microparticles are hydrothermally prepared and decorated with CoFe2O4 magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) through a co-precipitation method. The as -prepared CoFe2O4-3D TiO2 nanocomposites show an enhancement in the photodegradation of MB as compared to the commercial rutite-phase TiO2 and the pure urchin-like TiO2 (3D TiO2) microparticles. Such an enhancement could be accredited to the tower recombination rate of the photoexcited charge carriers of the CoFe2O4-3D TiO2 nanocomposites. Furthermore, the CoFe2O4-3D TiO2 nanocomposite is magnetically-retrievable for sequential recycling, and the results indicate that the nanocomposite shows a relatively consistent photocatalytic performance with negligible degradation. Thus, the current study would offer a potential route for the design and processing of a value-added photocatalyst nanocomposite that will contribute to the advancement of photocatalysis studies.