Synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic activity ofpolyaniline grafted Fe3O4@ZnO/GO as a recyclable photocatalyst

Abstract

A novel superparamagnetic Fe3O4@ZnO/GO (F@Z/G) composites with different ratios: (1/1, 1/2, 1/3) of Fe3O4@ZnO core-shell to GO were synthesized using the hydrothermal method. XRD and TEM images proved the formation of magnetite Fe3O4 and ZnO in the form of core-shell which were uniformly loaded on GO sheets. In the next step, OH and COOH functional groups of Fe3O4@ZnO and GO in F@Z/G composites used as initiator for in situ polymerization of aniline and polyaniline grafted Fe3O4@ZnO/GO composites were named as (F@Z/G1-P, F@Z/G2-P, F@Z/G3-P) were successfully produced. The Formation of polyaniline on F@Z/G nanocomposite was confirmed using FTIR, and XRD. The presence of polyaniline in F@Z/G nanocomposites not only retained their superparamagnetic property of F@Z/G composites as recyclable photocatalysts for degradation of methylene blue but also increased their degradation efficiency by speeding up the electron-hole production. The Maximum removal efficiency under the same conditions was obtained for F@Z/G2-P which was reached 86% during 40min.