The synthesis and characterization of an Fe3O4@TiO2–Ni/rGO magnetic photocatalyst

Abstract

In this study, Fe₃O₄@TiO₂–Ni core/shell particles linked to graphene oxide was fabricated via sol–gel and hydrothermal methods as a photocatalyst. The composition, crystalline structure, morphology, and surface physicochemical properties were characterized via X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-DRS), photoluminescence (PL), and nitrogen adsorption–desorption measurements. The results show that the magnetic photocatalyst consists of Fe₃O₄@TiO₂–Ni active particles and rGO carriers. The active particles have a double-shell core–shell structure with a size of about 400 nm, and are supported on the rGO lamellae. The Fe₃O₄@TiO₂–Ni/rGO microspheres can be easily collected by applying an external magnetic field due to the magnetic property of the core Fe₃O₄ particles. TiO₂ doping with a small amount of metal Ni and rGO can significantly improve the catalytic effect of the magnetic photocatalyst, and rGO can also significantly improve the adsorption of pollutants by the magnetic photocatalyst. Under visible light irradiation, Fe₃O₄@TiO₂–Ni/rGO was able to degrade 95.4% of rhodamine B (RhB) within 140 min, and this ability remained at 90.15% after 7 times of repetitive use under the same conditions.