Fabrication of novel magnetic F-TiO2(B)/carbon nanostructures nanocomposites as photocatalysts for malachite green degradation under visible light

Abstract

Magnetic bronze F-TiO2/carbon nanostructures nanocomposites were facilely synthesized by using TTIP (titanium tetraisopropoxide) and carbon nanostructures (Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) or Fullerene (C60)) as precursors via the hydrothermal process. The structure of the magnetic nanocomposites have been characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The photocatalytic activities of magnetic catalysts were evaluated by using the malachite green (MG) as contaminant. The results reveal that the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of F-TiO2(B)/Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT)@Nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) and F-TiO2(B)/Fullerene(C60)@Nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) for MG dye are 93% and 98% respectively, after 120 min visible irradiation. In addition, after using 4 times, the F-TiO2(B)/carbon nanostructure@NiFe2O4 nanocomposites still preserved an excellent degradation rate and indicated well reusability.