Improve sonocatalytic performance using modified semiconductor catalyst SnO2 and ZrO2 by magnetite materials

Abstract

Modifying semiconductor catalysts using magnetic materials could enhance the efficiency of wastewater removal and the separation efficiency demonstrated in our previous studies. The catalytic performance of wide band gap ZrO2 and SnO2 semiconductors has not been studied with regard to the ultrasonic radiation catalytic process. Therefore, the ultrasound-assisted sonocatalytic performance of ZrO2 and SnO2 semiconductors combined with Fe3O4 (magnetite) nanoparticles has been studied using methylene blue as a model organic pollutant. The nanocomposites were synthesized using sol-gel methods. The structural properties of the samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD). Sample morphology was obtained by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The magnetic properties of the samples were characterized using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The cubic spinel structure of Fe3O4 is successfully identified, as are the tetragonal structures from SnO2 and ZrO2. The samples exhibit ferromagnetic behavior at room temperature. Both ZrO2 and SnO2 combined with Fe3O4 show better sonocatalytic efficiency than without Fe3O4 and even better efficiency than the pioneering wide band gap semiconductor TiO2. The combination of magnetite nanoparticles with SnO2 exhibit the highest degradation efficiency. The incorporation of magnetic material into catalysts has been proved to enhance the reusability of catalysts with efficient separation process.