A magnetic Fe3O4 decorated TiO2 nanoparticles application for photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) under direct sunlight irradiation

• Published in: Journal of materials science. Materials in electronics 2018-04, Vol.29 (8), p.6458-6469
• Main Authors: Govindhan, P., Pragathiswaran, C., Chinnadurai, M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Absorption spectra; Anatase; Catalysis; Catalytic activity; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy; Doping; Dyes; Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy; Emission analysis; Energy dispersive X ray spectroscopy; Energy transmission; Field emission; Iron oxides; Light irradiation; Materials Science; Methylene blue; Nanoparticles; Optical and Electronic Materials; Photocatalysis; Photodegradation; Photoluminescence; Spectrum analysis; Sunlight; Titanium dioxide; Titanium oxides; X ray analysis; X-ray diffraction
• ISSN: 0957-4522; 1573-482X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10854-018-8627-x

Fe 3 O 4 enriched TiO 2 nano photocatalyst with various weight percentage (2, 4, and 8 wt%) of Fe 3 O 4 loaded on TiO 2 were effectively synthesized by co-precipitation method for removal of methylene blue dye under direct sunlight. The characterizations of the as-prepared product were done by Field emission scanning electronic microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis spectroscopy (EDAX), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), photoluminescence spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue was used as a model reaction to evaluate the photocatalytic activity of Fe 3 O 4 @TiO 2 nanoparticles under visible light irradiation. The influence of the doping amount of Fe 3 O 4 (2, 4, and 8 wt%) on photocatalytic activity of TiO 2 was investigated. Results show that the size of Fe 3 O 4 @TiO 2 particle decreased and their absorption spectra are broadened with increased absorption intensity. The doping can control the conversion of TiO 2 from anatase to rutile. The doping amount remarkably affects the activity of the catalyst, and the optimum efficiency occurs at about the doping amount of 8 wt%. The appropriate amount of doping 8 wt% can remarkably increase the catalytic activity of TiO 2 for methylene blue (MB) photocatalytic degradation under visible light irradiation.