A novel readily recyclable Fe3O4/ZnO/loofah biochar composite for efficient degradation of organic pollutants under visible light

Abstract

A recyclable magnetic bifunctional biochar photocatalyst material (FZLB) comprising of Fe3O4/ZnO/ Lufa-biochar was developed for the efficient degradation of phenols found in mechanical wastewater. The use of filamentous biochar not only provided abundant open active sites essential for the photocatalytic reaction, but also facilitated mass transfer, amplified the charge transfer rate and reduced the complexation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. Of the catalysts tested, the 20 % FZLB catalyst demonstrated the greatest photocatalytic activity, achieving 96.5 % phenol degradation following 90 min of visible light exposure alone. Notably, the material could be quickly retrieved in 90 s, making it highly efficient for use in managing mechanical wastewater when visible light is present. The 20 % FZLB catalyst's notable photocatalytic activity highlights its potential as a viable solution for effective mechanical wastewater management under visible light conditions.