TiO2/Fe2O3/CNTs magnetic photocatalyst: a fast and convenient synthesis and visible-light-driven photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline

The effective visible-light-driven photocatalysis of tetracycline still remains a big challenge for scientists. In this reported work, TiO2/Fe2O3/CNTs (carbon nanotubes) have been successfully synthesised by a fast and convenient method for the first time. A wide range of techniques, such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, magnetic measurements and UV–vis absorption spectroscopy were applied to characterise the obtained TiO2/Fe2O3/CNTs. Moreover, the photocatalytic properties of the TiO2/Fe2O3/CNTs in the degradation of tetracycline have been studied. In addition, it was found that TiO2/Fe2O3/CNTs have a better reusable photocatalyst than other traditional photocatalysts by the magnetic separation recycling method.