Synthesis, characteristics and sonocatalytic activities of calcined γ-Fe2O3 and TiO2 nanotubes/γ-Fe2O3 magnetic catalysts in the degradation of Orange G

Yean Ling Pang; Steven Lim; Hwai Chyuan Ong; Wen Tong Chong

doi:10.1016/j.ultsonch.2015.10.003

Synthesis, characteristics and sonocatalytic activities of calcined γ-Fe2O3 and TiO2 nanotubes/γ-Fe2O3 magnetic catalysts in the degradation of Orange G

Ultrason Sonochem. 2016 Mar:29:317-27. doi: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2015.10.003. Epub 2015 Oct 9.

Authors

Yean Ling Pang¹, Steven Lim², Hwai Chyuan Ong³, Wen Tong Chong³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Chemical Engineering, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Sungai Long, Bandar Sungai Long, Cheras, 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Electronic address: pangyl@utar.edu.my.
² Department of Chemical Engineering, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Sungai Long, Bandar Sungai Long, Cheras, 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
³ Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

PMID: 26585012
DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2015.10.003

Abstract

In this work, γ-Fe2O3 and TiO2 NTs/γ-Fe2O3 composites with good magnetism and sonocatalytic activity were prepared by a facile polyol method and utilize the principle of isoelectric point method, respectively. The structural and magnetic features of the prepared calcined γ-Fe2O3 and composite catalysts were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), surface analysis, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra (UV-Vis DRS), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) and zeta potential analysis. The effects of calcination temperature on γ-Fe2O3 phase variation, physical properties and sonocatalytic properties were investigated. The porosity, specific surface area, band gap energy and sonocatalytic activity of γ-Fe2O3 were gradually decreased with calcination temperature increased. TiO2 NTs/γ-Fe2O3 with appropriate composition and specific structural features possess synergetic effects such as efficient separation of charge carriers and hydroxyl radicals produced by heterogeneous fenton and fenton-like reactions. This enhanced the sonocatalytic activity for the degradation of Orange G under ultrasonic irradiation. The sonocatalytic reactions obeyed pseudo first-order kinetics. All these information provide insight into the design and development of high-efficiency catalyst for wastewater treatment.

Keywords: Characteristics; Iron oxide; Magnetic; Orange G; Sonocatalysis.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't