Enhancing Photocatalytic Activity, Stability, and Separability of TiO₂ through Synthesis of Fe₃O₄@Fibroin‐TiO₂ Composite

Abstract

This report uses a low‐cost and straightforward technique to synthesize a highly active, magnetically separable, and optically active nano‐biocomposite. The nanocomposite was created by combining Fibroin, TiO2, and Fe3O4. The analyses confirmed the formation of a core‐shell structure of Fibroin and Fe3O4, which was then combined with titanium dioxide nanoparticles. The incorporation of nanoparticles reduced the band gap of the system from 3.2 eV in bare titanium oxide to 1.8 eV. This enhancement improved its light absorption and charge generation. Additionally, the nano‐biocomposite showed improved chemical stability and photocatalytic activity when compared to bare TiO2 in the oxidation of benzyl alcohol under visible light (With 99 % yield and over 99 % selectivity). These results suggest that our nano‐biocomposite is a promising catalyst for photocatalytic applications under visible light.