A Novel SnO[sub.2]/ZnFe[sub.2]O[sub.4] Magnetic Photocatalyst with Excellent Photocatalytic Performance in Rhodamine B Removal

• Published in: Catalysts 2024-06, Vol.14 (6)
• Main Authors: Hao, Yu, Xiao, Yi, Liu, Xiuzhu, Ma, Jiawei, Lu, Yuan, Chang, Ziang, Luo, Dayong, Li, Lin, Feng, Qi, Xu, Longjun, Huang, Yongkui
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biodegradation; China; Methylene blue; Wastewater; Water pollution
• ISSN: 2073-4344; 2073-4344
• DOI: 10.3390/catal14060350

In this study, we prepared the SnO[sub.2]/ZnFe[sub.2]O[sub.4] (SZ) composite magnetic photocatalyst via a two-step hydrothermal method. Structural and performance analyses revealed that SZ-5 with a ZnFe[sub.2]O[sub.4] mass ratio of 5% (SZ-5) exhibited optimal photocatalytic activity, achieving a 72.6% degradation rate of Rhodamine B (RhB) solution within 120 min. SZ-5 consisted of irregular nano blocks of SnO[sub.2] combined with spherical nanoparticles of ZnFe[sub.2]O[sub.4], with a saturated magnetization intensity of 1.27 emu/g. Moreover, the specific surface area of SnO[sub.2] loaded with ZnFe[sub.2]O[sub.4] increased, resulting in a decreased forbidden bandwidth and expanded light absorption range. The construction of a Z-type heterojunction structure between SnO[sub.2] and ZnFe[sub.2]O[sub.4] facilitated the migration of photogenerated charges, reduced the recombination rate of electron-hole pairs, and enhanced electrical conductivity. During the photocatalytic reaction, RhB was degraded by·OH, O[sub.2] [sup.−], and h[sup.+], in which O[sub.2] [sup.−] played a major role.