Synthesis of Fe3O4@ZrO2 core–shell nanoparticles through new approach and its solar light photocatalyst application

Abstract

In this work, first, Fe3O4 nanoparticles were synthesized by microwave assisted method with using of hydrazine and citric acid as reducing and surfactant agent, respectively. Then, as-prepared magnetite nanoparticles were used as a core and a shell of ZrO2 nanoparticles were coated on the Fe3O4 seeds. Crystallographic and morphological characterizations of prepared samples have been carried out using X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The results indicate that the sample prepared has the structure of cubic reverse spinel of Fe3O4 in the core, shell contain the amorphous phase of zirconia and the size of as-synthesized Fe3O4@ZrO2 nanoparticles is about 35–55 nm. The UV–Vis spectra showed that the sample has good absorption ability in the wavelength range of 300–800 nm. The photocatalytic activity of as-synthesized core–shell NPs were investigated in the degradation of methyl orange (MO) solution under solar light. Results showed that MO degradation is increased in the presence of Fe3O4@ZrO2 nanoparticles and almost most of this organic dye is degraded after 240 min of irradiation by the solar light.