Preparation of Fe₃O₄/TiO₂ and Fe₃O₄/TiO₂/CuO Nanohybrids for Photoreduction of Cr(VI)

Abstract

Fe 3 O 4 /TiO 2 and CuO incorporated in Fe 3 O 4 /TiO 2 nanohybrid were successfully synthesized using sol-gel method. X-ray diffraction, Field emission scanning electron microscope, Fourier-transform infrared absorption, diffuse reflectance UV-visible spectrophotometer and Vibrating sample magnetometer were employed to investigate the structural, morphology and composition, optical and magnetic properties of the as prepared sample. The photocatalytic activity of as-prepared nanohybrids photocatalyst was tested by the photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) in aqueous solution under UV and visible light irradiation. Compared with Fe 3 O 4 /TiO 2 , Fe 3 O 4 /TiO 2 /CuO had better photocatalytic reduction efficiency. Furthermore, the possible primary species involved in the photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) was studied by examination the photocatalytic activity in the presence of scavengers.