ZnFe sub(2)O sub(4)/MWCNTs composite with enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible-light irradiation

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds Vol. 501; no. 1; pp. 168 - 172
• Main Authors: Chen, Cai-Hong, Liang, Yan-Hui, Zhang, Wei-De
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 02.07.2010
• Subjects: Alloys; Degradation; Diffraction; Ferrite; Irradiation; Photocatalysis; Reflectance; Zinc
• ISSN: 0925-8388
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2010.04.072

Zinc ferrite/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (ZnFe sub(2)O sub(4)/MWCNTs) composite was prepared by a hydrothermal process and characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and ultraviolet-visible diffusion reflectance spectroscopy. Compared with pure ZnFe sub(2)O sub(4), the ZnFe sub(2)O sub(4)/MWCNTs composite exhibits stronger absorption in visible-light range and higher photocatalytic activity, with 99% degradation ratio of methylene blue after 6 h visible-light irradiation in the presence of H sub(2)O sub(2). The enhanced photocatalytic activity is attributed to the strong interaction between ZnFe sub(2)O sub(4) and MWCNTs which inhibits the recombination of photo-generated charge carriers, and the formation of highly active species [inline image]OH on the surface of MWCNTs. Therefore, more radicals are formed for degradation of the dye. The enhancing mechanism of the photocatalytic activity of ZnFe sub(2)O sub(4) in the presence of MWCNTs is also discussed.