Conversion and reducing agent effect on zero valent iron into Fe3O4 for photocatalytic degradation under UV light irradiation

Abstract

Conversion and reducing agent (NaBH4) effect on zero valent iron into Fe3O4 nanoparticles with diverse molar ratios of reducing agent was produced through chemical reduction technique. The structural, optical, vibrational analyses were executed via XRD, UV–Vis, Raman, and FT-IR analysis. The crystallite size obtained were 35 nm, 27 nm, and 18 nm for Fe:NaBH4 (1:1), Fe:NaBH4 (1:2) and Fe:NaBH4 (1:3). The morphology of the Fe:NaBH4 (1:1) was not in good orientation with higher dimensions. As explored in Fe:NaBH4 (1:2) and (1:3) samples, there is a proper growth of nanoneedles and nanosheets formation. This was due to the addition of reducing agent which greatly helped in enhancement of morphology. The prepared photocatalysts were tested to reduce Malachite Green (MG) under UV illumination. The pure dye solution obtained 57% efficiency after irradiation. Fe:NaBH4 (1:3) photocatalyst achieved 97% efficiency on reducing pollutants. The rate constant values calculated was 0.007, 0.013, 0.02 and 0.03 min−1 for pure, Fe: NaBH4 (1:1), Fe: NaBH4 (1:2) and Fe: NaBH4 (1:3) assisted MG samples. The as prepared photocatalyst is more potential one on removal of toxic pollutants from wastewater which is due to the better enhancement of nanoneedles and nanosheets oriented by the effect of reducing agent. The advantage of Fe3O4 nanoparticles for wastewater is that the removal of these nanoparticles can be ease with magnetic separation methods. On considering the advantage of removing of photocatalyst and efficiency, this prepared product is suitable one for wastewater remediation process in future days.