Single-step solvothermal synthesis of sepiolite-CoFe2O4 nanocomposite as a highly efficient heterogeneous catalyst for photo Fenton-like reaction

Abstract

In present research, a novel sepiolite-CoFe2O4 (Sep-CoFe2O4) catalyst was prepared using a facile solvothermal strategy. The structure, morphology, and photoelectric properties of the synthesized catalyst were explored by the SEM, TEM, VSM, DRS, XRD, XPS and EDX methods. The results showed that CoFe2O4 particles had a spherical shape and was successfully deposited on the fibrous structure of Sep clay. The prepared Sep-CoFe2O4 catalyst was employed in heterogeneous photo-Fenton reaction for methylene blue (MB) degradation. Sep effectively prevented the aggregation of CoFe2O4 and clearly enhanced the efficiency of the heterogeneous catalyst for degradation of MB under visible light irradiation. In photo Fenton-like reaction, complete degradation of MB (C = 10 ppm) was achieved in 150 min at mild pH value. The reusability experiments showed that the suggested catalyst can be reused after five successive cycles. Besides, a possible degradation mechanism using the photo Fenton-like system was presumed. Accounting for the high catalytic capability, low cost, as well as good chemical stability, the Sep-CoFe2O4 has great potential working as a heterogeneous photo-Fenton catalyst for degradation of organic contaminants.