Sol-gel and hydrothermal technical ability in synthesis of magnetic anatase-graphene oxide nanocomposite with excellent photoactivity

[Display omitted] •The magnetic TiO2-GO nanocomposite was produced by sol-gel and hydrothermal routes.•The sol-gel route cannot be used properly for fabrication of magnetic photocatalyst.•The magnetic core-shell was hydrothermally coupled to graphene oxide sheet.•The fabricated nanocomposite represe...

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Published in:Materials science & engineering. B, Solid-state materials for advanced technology Solid-state materials for advanced technology, 2021-06, Vol.268, p.115122, Article 115122
Main Authors: Zadmehr, Leila, Salem, Shiva
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anatase
Energy gap
Graphene
Hydrides
Hydrothermal
Iron oxides
Magnetic materials
Magnetic properties
Nanocomposites
Photoactivity
Photodegradation
Sol-gel chemistry
Sol-gel processes
Statistical methods
Titanium dioxide
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Summary:[Display omitted] •The magnetic TiO2-GO nanocomposite was produced by sol-gel and hydrothermal routes.•The sol-gel route cannot be used properly for fabrication of magnetic photocatalyst.•The magnetic core-shell was hydrothermally coupled to graphene oxide sheet.•The fabricated nanocomposite represented the higher efficiency, 97%, under sunlight.•The rapid removal of dye was ascribed to reduction in band gap energy, 1.46 eV. The interest for expeditious separation of photocatalyst from treated water led to the production of magnetic TiO2-graphene oxide (GO) compounds, causing an essential drop in photoactivity. Therefore, the proper proportions of the starting materials produced via sol-gel, and hydrothermal methods were statistically determined according to the mixture design methodology to maximize the photo-degradation of dye under visible light, and solar irradiation. Although the decoration of TiO2-Fe3O4 core-shells onto GO sheets by the sol-gel route via 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane resulted in the inappropriate magnetic properties, the hydrothermal method was successfully applied for the fabrication of magnetic compound. The nanocomposite containing the same proportions of GO, and Fe3O4, 4%, not only represented the optimal efficiency, 97%, but could be easily separated by the external magnetic field. The rapid degradation under the sunlight within 20 min was ascribed to a reduction in band gap energy, 1.46 eV, compared to that for anatase.
ISSN:0921-5107
1873-4944
DOI:10.1016/j.mseb.2021.115122