Abstract
Researchers have been fascinated to the field of photocatalysis by the creation of innovative composite photocatalysts to enhance the performance of the catalyst. The novel magnetically recoverable La(OH)3/α-MnO2/MnFe2O4 nanocomposite have been successfully prepared via a simple wet impregnation process. The as-synthesized photocatalysts were characterized by multiple analytical techniques. The photocatalytic performance of the as-prepared materials was examined based on Rhodamine B (Rh B) dye under UV–visible light illumination. The obtained Z-scheme magnetically recoverable La(OH)3/α-MnO2/MnFe2O4 nanocomposite exhibited remarkably photocatalytic activity (94.69%), 4.04 and 2.33 times higher than the La(OH)3 and α-MnO2/MnFe2O4 nanocomposite, respectively. The ferromagnetic behavior of MnFe2O4 nanoparticles (NPs) and the high light absorption capacity of α-MnO2 nanorods improve the photocatalytic performance of La(OH)3/α-MnO2/MnFe2O4 nanocomposite. La(OH)3/α-MnO2/MnFe2O4 nanocomposite was able to help ease the recovery by its ferromagnetic behavior. This enriched photocatalytic performance could be caused by the formation of Z-scheme junctions between La(OH)3 and α-MnO2/MnFe2O4 nanocomposite, which helps effectual charge separation and keeps a high redox potential. Magnetically recoverable La(OH)3/α-MnO2/MnFe2O4 nanocomposite offers potential for photocatalysis and has probable applications in the energy and environmental sectors.
NSTL
Elsevier