An overview of recent progress on noble metal modified magnetic Fe3O4 for photocatalytic pollutant degradation and H2 evolution

Abstract

The search for low-cost, high-performance and recyclable photocatalysts has become an important issue in the field of heterogeneous photocatalysis. In this regard, magnetite (Fe₃O₄) based photocatalysts are found to be effective as a simple recyclable photocatalytic material, not only preventing the excessive use of catalyst, but also allowing easy recovery of the deactivated photocatalyst, making the process fruitful. Taking into account the cost factor and efficiency, plasmonic nanostructures of noble metal modified magnetite materials show significant promise. Here in this review, we focus on the recent progress related to plasmon-enhanced water splitting and pollutant degradation using magnetite based composite photocatalysts, mainly due to energetic electron driven photocatalysis. We have addressed different green strategies for designing Fe₃O₄ based composite photocatalysts and their modification with various noble metal nanoparticles, strengthening the interface coupling between Fe₃O₄ and noble metals. We also highlight a discussion of photodegradation and water reduction reactions on plasmonic-metal/Fe₃O₄ nanostructured photocatalysts and the SPR effect of noble metal NPs to enhance the photocatalytic activity of Fe₃O₄. Reviewing the recent significant advances on this topic may provide new opportunities for designing highly efficient, low cost nanostructured materials for the photodegradation of pollutants and the generation of energy.