Preparation of magnetic Fe3O4/SiO2/Bi 2WO6 microspheres and their application in photocatalysis

Su Hua Chen, Zhen Yin, Sheng Lian Luo*, Chak Tong Au, Xue Jun Li

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

37 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Magnetic Fe3O4/SiO2/Bi2WO 6 microspheres with photocatalytic properties have been synthesized using a silica layer for "bonding" (adhering Bi2WO 6 to Fe3O4). The morphology, composition and magnetic properties of the Fe3O4/SiO2/Bi 2WO6 composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry, and BET surface area analysis. The activity of the material in photocatalytic decoloration of aqueous rhodamine B (RhB) solution under visible light was evaluated. The results showed that Bi 2WO6 combined well with the magnetic Fe3O 4/SiO2 nanoparticles. The Fe3O 4/SiO2/Bi2WO6 composites were spherical in shape, having a mean size of 2 μm. The spent catalyst could be recycled with only slight decline in catalytic activity. It is envisaged that the stability, reusability, and magnetic nature of the Fe3O 4/SiO2/Bi2WO6 catalyst warrants its application in photocatalysis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)725-729
Number of pages5
JournalMaterials Research Bulletin
Volume48
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2013

Scopus Subject Areas

  • General Materials Science
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering

User-Defined Keywords

  • A. Magnetic materials
  • B. Chemical synthesis
  • C. Electron diffraction
  • C. X-ray diffraction
  • D. Catalytic properties

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Preparation of magnetic Fe3O4/SiO2/Bi 2WO6 microspheres and their application in photocatalysis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this