TY - JOUR

T1 - Fe3O4@ZnO Core-Shell Nanoparticles—a novel facile fabricated magnetically separable photocatalyst

AU - Ткаченко, Дмитрий

AU - Желтова, Виктория Витальевна

AU - Мешина, Ксения Ильинична

AU - Воронцов-Вельяминов, Павел Николаевич

AU - Емельянова, Мария Сергеевна

AU - Бобрышева, Наталья Петровна

AU - Осмоловский, Михаил Глебович

AU - Вознесенский, Михаил Андреевич

AU - Осмоловская, Ольга Михайловна

N1 - Scientific research was performed at the research park of St. Petersburg State University: Centre for Xray Diffraction Studies, Centre for Innovative Technologies of Composite Nanomaterials, Chemical Analysis and Materials Research Centre, Centre for Physical Methods of Surface Investigation, Centre for Optical and Laser Materials Research, Interdisciplinary Resource Centre for Nanotechnology. In commemoration of the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg State University's founding.

PY - 2024/7/31

Y1 - 2024/7/31

N2 - The current study proposes a simple and inexpensive technique to synthesise core–shell Fe3O4@ZnO as a promising photocatalyst. An easily scalable original procedure was developed based on sequential and simultaneous addition of Zn2+ and OH– ions to Fe3O4 cores, and preheating and subsequent heating of the reaction medium. The structure of Fe3O4@ZnO core–shell nanoparticles was found to be a sequence of layers including magnetite (Fe3O4), maghemite (γ-Fe2O3), goethite (α-FeOOH), and zinc oxide (ZnO) in (0001) orientation. This layer sequence ensures a smooth transition from the Fe3O4 of the core to the ZnO shell. The synthesis conditions affect layer density and thickness, which can be easily used in adjusting Fe3O4@ZnO properties. Photocatalytic degradation of a model persistent dye (naphthol green B) in the presence of Fe3O4@ZnO nanoparticles reached promising 77 % in 60 min under UV radiation, while Fe3O4 cores showed only 20 %. The wide-gap ZnO layer on the surface of the narrow-gap Fe3O4 provides charge separation and suppresses electron-hole recombination, which drastically increases photocatalytic activity of the material. Separation of the photocatalyst with a magnet showed the same result as that with a centrifuge. All of these findings lead to inexpensive fabrication, effective performance, low toxicity and simple separation of Fe3O4@ZnO.

AB - The current study proposes a simple and inexpensive technique to synthesise core–shell Fe3O4@ZnO as a promising photocatalyst. An easily scalable original procedure was developed based on sequential and simultaneous addition of Zn2+ and OH– ions to Fe3O4 cores, and preheating and subsequent heating of the reaction medium. The structure of Fe3O4@ZnO core–shell nanoparticles was found to be a sequence of layers including magnetite (Fe3O4), maghemite (γ-Fe2O3), goethite (α-FeOOH), and zinc oxide (ZnO) in (0001) orientation. This layer sequence ensures a smooth transition from the Fe3O4 of the core to the ZnO shell. The synthesis conditions affect layer density and thickness, which can be easily used in adjusting Fe3O4@ZnO properties. Photocatalytic degradation of a model persistent dye (naphthol green B) in the presence of Fe3O4@ZnO nanoparticles reached promising 77 % in 60 min under UV radiation, while Fe3O4 cores showed only 20 %. The wide-gap ZnO layer on the surface of the narrow-gap Fe3O4 provides charge separation and suppresses electron-hole recombination, which drastically increases photocatalytic activity of the material. Separation of the photocatalyst with a magnet showed the same result as that with a centrifuge. All of these findings lead to inexpensive fabrication, effective performance, low toxicity and simple separation of Fe3O4@ZnO.

KW - Charge separation

KW - Computer simulation

KW - Magnetite nanoparticles

KW - Semiconductor

KW - Wastewater treatment

UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/a6ef4046-92de-393c-b1ee-7417fab22845/

U2 - 10.1016/j.apsusc.2024.160873

DO - 10.1016/j.apsusc.2024.160873

M3 - Article

VL - 672

JO - Applied Surface Science

JF - Applied Surface Science

SN - 0169-4332

M1 - 160873

ER -