MAGNETIC Fe3O4/SiO2/ZrO2 NANOCOMPOSITE AS PHOTOCATALYST

Abstract

Nanocomposite powder Fe3O4/SiO2/ZrO2 was synthesized in several steps. Firstly, magnetite nanoparticles with a protective layer of SiO2 were synthesized. Silica layer protects magnetite core and prevents the transfer of electrons from the conduction band of ZrO2 to magnetite during illumination. Secondly, a layer of ZrO2 was added to the surface of nanoparticles by the solvothermal method. The resulting powder was purified with the help of a strong magnet that ensures complete separation of the magnetic material from the solution. Thus synthesized magnetic material was characterized using X-ray diffraction technique, UV/Vis reflectance spectroscopy and flat band potentials were calculated using Mott-Schottky plots. Photocatalytic efficacy was obtained in the decomposition reaction of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol in aqueous solutions with Simulated Solar light as an irradiation source. The results showed that nanocomposite is an effective adsorber and photocatalyst for selected pollutant.