ZIF-assisted construction of magnetic multiple core-shell Fe3O4@ZnO@N-doped carbon composites for effective photocatalysis

• Magnetic Fe3O4@ZnO@nitrogen-doped carbon (Fe3O4@ZnO@N-C) composites with multiple core-shell structures have been successfully synthesized by calcination of ZIF-8 coated Fe3O4@ZnO core-shell nanocrystals. The morphologies and microstructural characteristics are investigated by X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, physical adsorption of nitrogen, and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The photocatalytic performances are tested by degrading methylene blue (MB) in aqueous solutions under the irradiation of imitative sunlight. The photocatalytic trials indicate that the Fe3O4@ZnO@N-C composites exhibit improved degradation efficiency compared to the Fe3O4@ZnO precursor. The photocatalytic efficiencies of the as-prepared Fe3O4@ZnO@N-C composites towards MB are 93% under irradiation of imitative sunlight for 90 min and still maintained to be 87% after 6 recycles, which shows very good stability and recyclability. Nitrogen-doped carbon is believed to extend the absorption spectra to the visible-light region. The photodegradation kinetics via using the as-prepared Fe3O4@ZnO@N-C composite as a novel photocatalyst are systematically investigated. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Kemi -- Oorganisk kemi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Chemical Sciences -- Inorganic Chemistry (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Fe3O4; ZnO; ZIF-8; Nitrogen-doped carbon; Photocatalysis; Magnetic recovery

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)