Enhanced photocatalytic activity of magnetite/titanate (Fe3O4/TiO2) nanocomposite for methylene blue dye degradation under direct sunlight

Abstract

In this study, we have presented findings on the structural, optical, morphological, magnetic and photocatalytic characteristics of magnetite/TiO2 nanocomposite (Fe3O4/TiO2 NCs) for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye under sunlight. The NCs were synthesized using a facile hydrothermal technique and subsequently subjected to analysis using several characterization methods, including XRD, Raman spectroscopy, SEM, UV–Vis and VSM. XRD analysis revealed that the as-prepared sample exhibited a high level of crystallinity, accompanied by a smaller crystallite size. The structural defects in the crystal system and the presence of impurities in the as-prepared sample can be analysed using Raman spectroscopy. Morphological studies represent the synthesized Fe3O4/TiO2 NCs are evenly arranged and are spherical in shape. The average particle size was determined through the utilization of image J software, yielding a measurement of 31 nm. UV–Vis spectrum shows the absorbance peak and the energy bandgap was calculated. The NCs, in their initial state, demonstrated a degradation efficiency exceeding 97% for MB dye under sunlight within duration of 40 min. The Fe3O4/TiO2 NCs possess the capability of effortless separation from the dye solution facilitated by an external magnet.