Recyclable Fe3O4/SiO2/TiO2/Cu nanocomposites: synthesis, characterization and investigation of the photocatalytic and magnetic property

In this study, at first, Fe3O4/SiO2/TiO2 nanostructures were synthesized using a combination of co-precipitation and sol–gel methods. At the next step Fe3O4/SiO2/TiO2/Cu nanocomposite was synthesized using Cu(NO3)2·3H2O as copper precursor via photodeposition method. The as prepared samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis, Transmission electron microscope, coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, vibrating sample magnetometer and Fourier transform infrared techniques. The catalytic efficiency of the Fe3O4/SiO2/TiO2 and magnetically responsive Fe3O4/SiO2/TiO2/Cu nanocatalysts was evaluated for the degradation of methylene blue dye under UV irradiation at the room temperature. The as prepared Fe3O4/SiO2/TiO2/Cu photocatalyst presented a good photocatalytic performance in the decolorization of the dye aqueous solution. The magnetic nanocomposites have the preponderance to be completely recoverable with the application of an external magnetic field. The composite nanoparticles showed high recycling efficiency and stability over five separation cycles.