Magnetically Recoverable TiO2/SiO2/γ-Fe2O3/rGO Composite with Significantly Enhanced UV-Visible Light Photocatalytic Activity

Abstract

In this paper, we report the preparation of a new composite (TiO2/SiO2/γ-Fe2O3/rGO) with a high photocatalytic efficiency. The properties of the composite were examined by different analyses, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), photoluminescence (PL), UV-Visible light diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman, vibrating-sample magnetometer (VSM), and nitrogen gas physisorption (BET) studies. The photocatalytic efficiency of the proposed composite was evaluated by the degradation of methylene blue under UV and visible light, and the results were compared with titanium dioxide (TiO2), where degradation increased from 30% to 84% and 4% to 66% under UV and visible light, respectively. The significant increase in photocatalytic activity may be explained by the higher adsorption of dye on the surface of the composite and the higher separation and transfer of charge carriers, which in turn promote active sites and photocatalytic efficiency.

The effect of post-annealing treatment on the structural and optoelectronic properties of solution-processed TiO2 thin films

“…The bands observed at 1032 and 1426 cm -1 are characteristic of the Ti-O-Ti group stretching and vibrations, with relatively higher intensities for the post-annealed sample [44]. In addition, the absorption peak at 1542 cm -1 may be attributed to the (C=C) vibration mode from the organic groups associated with TAA [45,46]. The intensity at 1542 cm -1 for the post-annealed sample exhibits a slight decrease from that of the pristine one.…”

Catalysis by Hybrid Nanomaterials

“…Magnetically recoverable TiO 2 /SiO 2 /γ-Fe 2 O 3 /rGO nanohybrid revealed a significantly enhanced UV-visible light photocatalytic activity in degradation of methylene blue [ 11 ]. The degradation efficiency increased to 84% under UV light, which was accounted for by the higher adsorption of dye on the surface of the nanomaterial.…”