Enhanced 3,5-dimethylphenol photodegradation via adsorption-photocatalysis synergy using FSTRG nanohybrid catalyst(116546)

Abstract

In this work, a multifunctional Fe3O4@SnO2-TiO2/rGO (FSTRG) nanohybrids catalyst was successfully synthesized through an effective hydrothermal method. The activity of FSTRG hybrid photocatalyst was performed with the synergistic adsorption and photocatalytic degradation effect under solar light irradiation ability for removing 3,5-dimethylphenol from aqueous solution. The structure, morphology, surface physicochemical, optical and electrical properties that characterize the hybrid photocatalyst were investigated by XRD, FT-IR, FE-SEM, HR-TEM, XPS, Raman, TG/DTG, VSM, BET, UV-DRS, PL and EIS measurements. The results revealed that the FSTRG nanohybrid catalysts represented a layered structure with the well-dispersed FST nanoparticles on the surface of the rGO sheets. The maximum adsorption capacity of the FSTRG nanohybrids photocatalyst was 14.92 m2.g1 after 60 min. According to the results, the percent degradation efficiency of 3,5-DMP by FSTRG hybrid photocatalyst was obtained through the Synergistic effect between adsorption-photodegradation under solar light irradiation 81.23%, and also the percent degradation efficiency of 3,5-DMP as a function of time and cycle of photocatalysis was 72% after five repetitive cycles, which represents an excellent synergistic effect FSTRG nanohybrids photocatalyst. The experimental results of radical species trapping showed the photo-generated holes exhibiting an important role in promoting both direct oxidation of 3,5-DMP and production of O2 and OH radicals. Moreover, based on PL and EIS analysis, the FSTRG nanohybrids photocatalyst showed the lowest combined rate of electron-hole pairs and charge transfer resistance to increase photocatalytic activity. The manufactured nanohybrid catalyst can be employed as an effective catalyst to purify phenolic contaminants from water.