The design of new magnetic-photocatalyst nanocomposites (CoFe2O4–TiO2) as smart nanomaterials for recyclable-photocatalysis applications†
Abstract
The current study reports the synthesis and characterisation of a new magnetic-photocatalyst (CoFe2O4–TiO2) and tests its feasibility to be used as smart magnetically-recoverable nanomaterial in the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB). 3D urchin-like TiO2 microparticles are hydrothermally prepared and decorated with CoFe2O4 magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) through a co-precipitation method. The as-prepared CoFe2O4–3D TiO2 nanocomposites show an enhancement in the photodegradation of MB as compared to the commercial rutile-phase TiO2 and the pure urchin-like TiO2 (3D TiO2) microparticles. Such an enhancement could be accredited to the lower recombination rate of the photoexcited charge carriers of the CoFe2O4–3D TiO2 nanocomposites. Furthermore, the CoFe2O4–3D TiO2 nanocomposite is magnetically-retrievable for sequential recycling, and the results indicate that the nanocomposite shows a relatively consistent photocatalytic performance with negligible degradation. Thus, the current study would offer a potential route for the design and processing of a value-added photocatalyst nanocomposite that will contribute to the advancement of photocatalysis studies.