Rapid Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Fe3O4/SiO2/TiO2 Core-2-Layer-Shell Nanocomposite for Photocatalytic Degradation of Ciprofloxacin

Abstract

In this work, magnetic nanoparticles based on magnetite were successfully prepared via rapid microwave-assisted synthesis. In order to obtain the ternary core–shell Fe3O4/SiO2/TiO2 nanocomposite, first magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles were coated with a protective layer of silica (SiO2) and finally with titania (TiO2). The composite configuration comprising porous and photoactive shells should facilitate the removal of organic micropollutants (OMPs) from water. Furthermore, the magnetic core is critical for processing the management of the photocatalytic powder suspension. The magnetization of the prepared magnetic nanoparticles was confirmed by vibrating-sample magnetometry (VSM), while the structure and morphology of the core–shell nanocomposite were investigated by means of XRD, FTIR, and SEM. Adsorption and photocatalysis were evaluated by investigating the removal efficiency of ciprofloxacin (CIP) as a model OMP using the prepared magnetic core–shell nanocomposite under UV-A light irradiation. It was found that the Fe3O4/SiO2/TiO2 nanocomposite showed good synergistic adsorption and photocatalytic properties. The measurement of iron in eluate confirmed that no leaching occurred during the photocatalytic examination. The recovery of magnetic nanocomposite by an external magnetic field confirmed that the magnetically separated catalyst is highly suitable for recycling and reuse.

Recent advances in removal of pharmaceutical pollutants in wastewater using metal oxides and carbonaceous materials as photocatalysts: a review

“…The presence of ciprofloxacin in water acts as pollutant and can be removed by means of a photocatalytic approach. 425–524…”

“…Ternary core–shell Fe 3 O 4 /SiO 2 /TiO 2 nanocomposite photocatalysts showed good synergistic properties on the removal efficiency for ciprofloxacin under UVA-light irradiation. 467 The photocatalytic degradation of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride by Ag–SrTiO 3 /TiO 2 composite nanostructures under simulated sunlight resulted in 97.6% degradation of ciprofloxacin due to an increase in the carriers and separation between electron–hole pairs. 468…”

Greener synthesis of nanostructured iron oxide for medical and sustainable agro-environmental benefits

“…Due to the involvement of dipole moment in a wide range of applications including on the sensing surfaces, the involvement of IONP is highly appreciated ( Saber et al, 2022 ). Further, the ionic/molecular vibrations with IONP regarding to the above applications have potential future benefits in different industrial sectors ( Ali Noman et al, 2021 ; Gabelica et al, 2021 ). The involvement of photocatalysis with IONP is highly beneficial for the purpose disinfection in water and air matrices ( Gao and Keller, 2021 ).…”

Photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline over Ce-doped TiO2@SiO2@Fe3O4 magnetic material

“…On the other hand, the broad absorption peak of TSF at 500-800 cm À1 is characteristic of TiO 2 41,42,47 together with the peaks for Si-O-Si and Fe-O bonding, confirming the formation of the TSF coreshell structure. 48,49 Compared with TSF, the two enhanced characteristic peaks of 5%Ce-TSF at 1625 and 3419 cm À1 were caused by the bending and stretching vibrations of O-H, respectively. This implies that more hydroxyl radicals ( OH) could be generated during the photocatalytic reaction of the composite 5%Ce-TSF, promoting the reaction process.…”