Transparent floatable magnetic alginate sphere used as photocatalysts carrier for improving photocatalytic efficiency and recycling convenience

• Published in: Carbohydrate polymers 2021-02, Vol.254, p.117281, Article 117281
• Main Authors: Huang, Xian-Hang, Hu, Tian, Bu, Huaitian, Li, Wei-Xiong, Li, Zeng-Lin, Hu, Han-Jian, Chen, Wen-Zhao, Lin, Min-Zhao, Li, Yongtao, Jiang, Gang-Biao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Core-shell structure; Floatable carrier; Natural polymer; Transparent sphere; Visible photocatalytic degradation
• ISSN: 0144-8617; 1879-1344
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2020.117281

[Display omitted] •A novel core-shell structured photocatalysts carrier is synthesized using alginate as raw material.•Internal cavities that enhance the floating ability is built by ice-templating.•Synthesized carrier improves the photocatalytic efficiency of supported photocatalyst.•The photocatalytic sphere is environmentally friendly and conveniently reclaimable. Practical application of powder photocatalysts is far from satisfying due to their low photon utilization, inconvenient recovery and potential environmental risk. In this study, an easily recoverable, environmentally friendly and highly transparent floatable magnetic photocatalyst carrier was prepared based on biopolymer alginate and Fe3O4 particles. Further, three different types of photocatalysts were chosen as model semiconductor photocatalysts and loaded on the shell of the carriers. The freeze process facilitated the formation of internal cavities that enhanced floating ability and transparency of the spheres. Meanwhile, the excellent floating performance offered massive reaction sites for pollutants reacting with photocatalysts, O2 and photons on the air/water interface. Photodegradation results showed all three floatable hybrid photocatalysts exhibited enhanced photocatalytic efficiencies compared to the virgin photocatalysts. In short, the carrier can integrate excellent floating ability, environmental friendliness and full recycling with good stability, and it can greatly improve the photocatalytic efficiency of various powder semiconductor photocatalysts.