Synthesis and photocatalytic property of Fe3O4@TiO2 core/shell nanoparticles supported by reduced graphene oxide sheets

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds 2013-11, Vol.578, p.501-506
• Main Authors: Ma, Peichang, Jiang, Wei, Wang, Fenghe, Li, Fengsheng, Shen, Ping, Chen, Mudan, Wang, Yujiao, Liu, Jie, Li, Pingyun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemistry; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Electrochemistry; Electrodes: preparations and properties; Exact sciences and technology; Fullerenes and related materials; diamonds, graphite; General and physical chemistry; General, apparatus; Magnetic properties and materials; Magnetite; Materials science; Photodegradation; Physics; Reduced graphene oxide; Specific materials; Studies of specific magnetic materials; Surface physical chemistry; Ternary composite; TiO2
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2013.07.026

•Fe3O4@TiO2 nanoparticles loaded on graphene sheets are synthesized for the first time.•This ternary structure can induce photo-degradation of methyl orange.•The interfacial structure between TiO2 and Fe3O4 is stable at 450°C.•Fe3O4@TiO2/graphene as ternary photocatalyst can be retrieved by magnetic field. A ternary nanocomposite of Fe3O4@TiO2/reduced graphene oxide (FTR) was prepared successfully by a facile route in this work. Fe3O4@TiO2 core/shell nanospheres were loaded on the surface of reduced graphene oxide (RGO), making the ternary nanocomposite possessed enhanced charge separation efficiency in combined with the supporting media of RGO. The morphology of the ternary nanocomposite was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The photocatalytic degradation efficiency on methyl orange of the FTR nanocomposite was investigated. The photocatalytic degradation efficiency of ternary composite was about three times than that of pure TiO2. The result show that the photocatalytic efficiency of 25mg FTR can reach 83.8% in 50min, In addition to the high efficiency of the degradation property, the ternary composite can be easily recycled by normal magnet due to the magnetite core. It is suggested that the FTR ternary composite of Fe3O4@TiO2/reduced graphene oxide can be an efficient multifunctional photocatalyst for the degradation of hazardous compounds in waste water.