Synthesis of Fe3O4@mTiO2 nanocomposites for the photocatalytic degradation of Monocrotophos under UV illumination

Abstract

Novel magnetic mesoporous core/shell nanocomposites Fe₃O₄@mTiO₂ were synthetized and characterized by FE-TEM, EDS, PXRD as well as BET, and subsequently tested as photocatalysts for the degradation of Monocrotophos under UV irradiation. The well-designed nanocomposites exhibit a pure and highly crystalline anatase TiO₂ layer, large specific surface area, and high magnetic response. Photocatalytic degradation of Monocrotophos and the formation of intermediates were identified using HPLC, TOC-V_cpn, and GC-MS. Monocrotophos were found to completely disappear after 45 min of UV illumination. At the end of the treatment, the total organic carbon (TOC) of Monocrotophos was reduced by 82%. Finally, we proposed the photocatalytic degradation pathway for Monocrotophos.