Preparation and photocatalytic application of magnetic Fe2O3/SBA-15 nanomaterials

Abstract Magnetic Fe 2 O 3 /SBA-15 mesoporous nanomaterials were synthesized by means of a facile impregnation and calcination method. As-prepared magnetic nanomaterials were characterized using XRD, N 2 adsorption-desorption isotherms, SEM, TEM, VSM and XPS techniques. And the photocatalytic activities of magnetic Fe 2 O 3 /SBA-15 on the degradation of rhodamine B were also evaluated. Results indicate that the order structure of as-synthesized nanomaterials still remains, but its specific surface area, pore volume and pore size decrease. The saturation magnetization of the samples increases and its particle size decreases gradually with increasing the calcination temperature. And the existence of SBA-15 mesoporous molecular sieves increases largely the stability of γ-Fe 2 O 3 . Moreover, as-synthesized magnetic Fe 2 O 3 /SBA-15 shows high photocatalytic activities in the course of the degradation of rhodamine B by photo-Fenton-like reaction at natural pH about 6.3 and visible light irradiation. The structure and amount of catalyst, the concentration of H 2 O 2 and rhodamine B are main influence factors on the degradation of rhodamine B, and these influence results have been depicted quantitatively from dynamics. Rhodamine B in aqueous solution could almost be removed completely after a period of illumination by visible light and overnight in the dark. Meanwhile, as-prepared magnetic Fe 2 O 3 /SBA-15 has excellent reusability and stability, which its photocatalytic activity has only a slightly decrease after five consecutive runs. Therefore, as-synthesized magnetic Fe 2 O 3 /SBA-15 has a broad prospect of practical application.