A novel and green heterogeneous photocatalytic system (Ca0.01Fe2.99O4/CaTiO3 nanocomposite): Protocol synthesis, characterization, and study of photo-decoloration activity

Abstract

In our work, we have synthesized effective Ca0.01Fe2.99O4/CaTiO3 nanocomposite (as-called coexistence structure) for visible-light photocatalysis. Our coexistence structure composed of magnetic n-type semiconductor Ca0.01Fe2.99O4 (CF) and p-type semiconductor CaTiO3 (CT) was successfully synthesized with various molar ratios (1:1, 1:2, 1:4 and 1:6) via a facile one-step solvothermal process. The good interaction between nanosphere of CF and nano rectangular prism of CT were determined by: XRD, FE-SEM with false colored scanning electron microscope (SEM) images, UV–Vis, DRS, TEM, FT-IR, VSM, XPS and EDX methods. Photocatalytic activities of all prepared samples were examined by decoloration of methylene blue (MB) solution as a model dye under visible light irradiation. Results clearly show that the molar ratio (1:6) of Ca0.01Fe2.99O4/CaTiO3 nanocomposite (CF/CT NC) exhibited the efficient photo-induced elimination of the MB that were confirmed with by using UV–Vis. spectroscopy. The photo-electrochemical tests show that the photocurrent density of CF/CT NC was better than bare oxides. Furthermore, the stability and the greenness of NC (1:6) was tested by cyclic experiments and external magnetic, respectively. Based on all outcomes, our heterogeneous photocatalytic system affords a platform to realize the environment improvement.