Synthesis of stable core–shell structured TiO2@Fe3O4 based on carbon derived from yeast with an enhanced photocatalytic ability

Abstract

By using yeast as the carbon source, stable core–shell structured TiO₂@Fe₃O₄ based on carbon (TiO₂@Fe₃O₄-carbon) was obtained. The photocatalytic activity of TiO₂@Fe₃O₄-carbon reached 82.6%, which was much higher than that of others; the enhanced photocatalytic activity originated from the good conductivity of carbon. Meanwhile, TiO₂@Fe₃O₄-carbon also exhibited excellent stability during the photocatalytic reaction after 6 repeated cycles. In addition, a plausible mechanism was proposed and discussed on the basis of experimental results.