Hierarchical Fe3O4/TiO2 hollow microspheres and their applications in photocatalysis and phase-change materials

Abstract

A novel hierarchical Fe 3 O 4 /TiO 2 hollow microspheres were prepared by combining sol-gel process, hydrothermal etching technology, and high-temperature calcination. The microspheres displayed excellent performance in the photodegradation of methylene blue under visible light. The Fe 3 O 4 /TiO 2-LiNO 3 composite phase change material showed high latent heat of fusion without leakage of salts. The morphology and properties of the Fe 3 O 4 /TiO 2 hollow microspheres and the Fe 3 O 4 /TiO 2-LiNO 3 composite phase change material were investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results show that the hierarchical Fe 3 O 4 /TiO 2 hollow microspheres have potential applications in energy materials.