A cost-effective, stable, magnetically recyclable photocatalyst of ultra-high organic pollutant degradation efficiency: SnFe2O4 nanocrystals from a carrier solvent assisted interfacial reaction process

Abstract

A cost-effective, stable, magnetically recyclable photocatalyst of ultra-high organic pollutant degradation efficiency, SnFe₂O₄ nanocrystal (NC), was developed. SnFe₂O₄ NCs were produced with a simple, fast, room temperature, surfactant-free, co-fed precursor, carrier solvent-assisted interfacial reaction process. The outstanding organic pollutant degradation efficiency of the SnFe₂O₄ NCs was demonstrated with rhodamine B (RhB) degradation in a Fenton-like process under illumination of simulated sun light at 100 mW cm⁻². The apparent reaction rate constant can reach as high as 0.35 min⁻¹, one order of magnitude higher than 0.02 min⁻¹ achieved by commercial P25 powders. The excellent magnetic recyclability and cycling stability of SnFe₂O₄ NCs toward RhB degradation were also demonstrated. A degradation mechanism is proposed to show how chemical and photochemical catalyzations work to realize the ultrahigh degradation efficiency of the SnFe₂O₄ NCs. The SnFe₂O₄ NCs prove to be a highly efficient and promising catalyst for Fenton-like processes for removal of recalcitrant organic pollutants.