Photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange using MgFe2O4@TiO2 core-shell nanoparticles

Abstract

We report the development of a MgFe2O4@TiO2 core−shell nanostructures with TiO2 as the core and a magnetic MgFe2O4 shell. The magnetic nanoparticles are widely used in photocatalysis because magnetic nanoparticles and anything attached to them can be easily tracked and directed with the help of an external applied magnetic field. The phase, crystal structure and morphology of these composites have been investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The photocatalytic performance of the as prepared core-shell structures were evaluated by using the catalytic reduction of methyl orange dye under UV light. This study presents an inexpensive, reusable, fast, and highly efficient catalyst for the degradadtion of contaminants from water. The high catalytic performance should be attributed to the core@shell structure formation.