Recyclable magnetic Fe3O4@SiO2/β-NaYF4:Yb3+,Tm3+/TiO2 composites with NIR enhanced photocatalytic activity

Journal Article · Thu Nov 15 00:00:00 EST 2018 · Materials Research Bulletin

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MATERRESBULL.2018.07.016· OSTI ID:22805287

Chen, Zhangxu ^[1]; Fu, Ming-Lai ^[1]

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1. Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Institute of Urban Environment (IUE), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), No. 1799, Jimei Avenue, Xiamen, 361021 (China)

Highlights: • Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@SiO{sub 2}/β-NaYF{sub 4}:Yb{sup 3+},Tm{sup 3+}/TiO{sub 2} composites have been successfully fabricated. • The upconversion of energy transfer from β-NaYF{sub 4}:Yb{sup 3+},Tm{sup 3+} to TiO{sub 2} was confirmed. • Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@SiO{sub 2}/β-NaYF{sub 4}:Yb{sup 3+},Tm{sup 3+}/TiO{sub 2} composites exhibit photocatalytic activity in NIR. • The composites can be easily magnetic separated from water after application. • The composites show good stability indicated from four recycled tests. - Abstract: To extend the activities of TiO{sub 2} to the near infrared (NIR) region and to separate and recycle photocatalysts easily is vital for the high harvest of solar energy for sustainable society. The magnetic NIR activated Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@SiO{sub 2}/β-NaYF{sub 4}:Yb{sup 3+},Tm{sup 3+}/TiO{sub 2} (FS/UC/T) composites have been synthesized by using the solvothermal method by adding Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@SiO{sub 2} and Degussa P25 into the mixed solution of NaOH, ethanol, oleic acid, Re(NO{sub 3}){sub 3} and NH{sub 4}F. Moreover, the obtained composites were explored for photocatalytic applications. It was found that FS/UC/T emit UV–vis light under irradiation of 980 nm laser and efficient energy transfer from β-NaYF{sub 4}:Yb{sup 3+},Tm{sup 3+} to TiO{sub 2} was verified. The photodegradation experiments for treating methylene blue (MB), rhodamine B (RhB), methyl orange (MO) and colorless phenol were carried out to evaluate the photocatalytic activities of the samples. The photodegradation rates reach 76.62%, 68.48%, 30.05% and 27.16% for MB, RhB, MO and phenol under irradiation of 980 nm laser, respectively, which suggested magnetic FS/UC/T composite is an advanced NIR-driven photocatalyst. Moreover, the magnetic photocatalyst showed easy separation and good stability in the recycled tests. It suggested a promising system to utilize the NIR energy for photocatalysis based on TiO{sub 2} and to utilize the magnetic for separation of photocatalysts, which will contribute to practical environmental remediation in the future.

• OSTI ID: 22805287
• Journal Information: Materials Research Bulletin, Vol. 107; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2017 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0025-5408
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
ENERGY TRANSFER
ETHANOL
IRON OXIDES
IRRADIATION
LASERS
MAGNETIC MATERIALS
METHYL ORANGE
METHYLENE BLUE
NEAR INFRARED RADIATION
OLEIC ACID
PHENOL
PHOTOCATALYSIS
RHODAMINES
SODIUM HYDROXIDES
SOLAR ENERGY
THULIUM IONS
TITANIUM OXIDES
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
WATER
YTTERBIUM IONS