Preparation and photocatalytic properties of magnetically reusable Fe3O4@ZnO core/shell nanoparticles

• Published in: Physica. E, Low-dimensional systems & nanostructures Vol. 75; pp. 66 - 71
• Main Authors: Wang, Jian, Yang, Jinghai, Li, Xiuyan, Wang, Dandan, Wei, Bing, Song, Hang, Li, Xuefei, Fu, Siwei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.01.2016
• Subjects: Fe3O4@ZnO nanoparticles; Magnetic photocatalysts; Photocatalysis; Fe3O4@ZnO nanoparticles; Photocatalysis; Magnetic photocatalysts
• ISSN: 1386-9477; 1873-1759
• DOI: 10.1016/j.physe.2015.08.040

Fe3O4@ZnO binary nanoparticles were synthesized by a simple two-step chemical method and characterized using various analytical instruments. TEM result proved the binary nanoparticles have core/shell structures and average particle size is 60nm. Photocatalytic investigation of Fe3O4@ZnO core/shell nanoparticles was carried out using rhodamine B (RhB) solution under UV light. Fe3O4@ZnO core/shell nanoparticles showed enhanced photocatalytic performance in comparison with the as prepared ZnO nanoparticles. The enhanced photocatalytic activity for Fe3O4@ZnO might be resulting from the higher concentration of surface oxygen vacancies and the suppressing effect of the Fe3+ ions on the recombination of photoinduced electron–hole pairs. Magnetization saturation value (5.96emu/g) of Fe3O4@ZnO core/shell nanoparticles is high enough to be magnetically removed by applying a magnetic field. The core/shell photocatalyst can be easily separated by using a commercial magnet and almost no decrease in photocatalytic efficiency was observed even after recycling six times. Magnetically reusable Fe3O4@ZnO core/shell nanoparticles were synthesized by a simple two-step chemical method. Almost no decrease in photocatalytic efficiency was observed even after recycling six times. [Display omitted] •Fe3O4@ZnO core/shell nanoparticles were successful synthesized.•The core/shell nanoparticles show excellent photocatalytic activity.•Fe3O4 core ensures core/shell nanoparticles reuse easily in waste water treatment.