A facile approach for the synthesis of sea urchin-like Fe_3O_4@TiO_2@Ag nanocomposites as highly efficient and recyclable photocatalysts

摘要

Sea urchin-like Fe_3O_4@TiO_2@Ag nanocomposites were controllably synthesized with tunable cavity size. Products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelec-tron spectra, X-ray diffraction and vibrating sample magnetometer. The sea urchin-like Fe_3O_4@TiO_2@Ag nanocomposites have a diameter in the range of 100-200 nm and are monodisperse. As photocatalysts under UV irradiation, the as-synthesized nanocomposites display enhanced photocatalytic and recycling properties for the degradation of methylene blue. The photocatalytic performance is improved due to the synergistic effect of Fe_3O_4@TiO_2@Ag nanoheterojunctions. The results showed that Fe_3O_4@ TiO_2@ Ag composites exhibited high degree of crystallinity, excellent magnetic properties at room temperature. Moreover, these magnetic Fe_3O_4@TiO_2@Ag nanocomposites can be completely removed from the dispersion with the help of magnetic separation and reused with little or no loss of catalytic activity. The enhanced photocatalytic activity and excellent chemical stability, in combination with the magnetic recyclability, makes this multifunctional nanostructure a promising candidate for remediation in aquatic environmental contamination in the future.