Photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B over popcorn-like ZnFe2O4/CdS–GO ternary composite
Zhichao Miao, Yunhui Tian, Shaoyuan Li, Zhao Ding, Xiuhua Chen, Wenhui Ma, Yuan‐Chih Chang
Abstract
The popcorn-shaped ZnFe2O4 (ZFO) nanospheres were developed using a facile one-pot green synthesis method. The CdS and graphene oxide (GO) were successfully loaded on ZFO to form novel ZFO/CdS-GO ternary composite photocatalyst. The composition, microstructure, surface elements, and degradation properties of the ZFO/CdS–GO ternary composite were comprehensively characterized. The results showed that ZFO/CdS–GO ternary photocatalyst system exhibited significantly enhanced photocatalytic performance compared to pure ZFO/CdS. For the 10 mg/L Rhodamine B (RhB) solution, the degradation efficiency can reach 82.68% after 60 min, and the degradation rate was 31.97 × 10−3 min−1, which is nearly two times that of the ZFO/CdS binary system. After five recycling cycles, the degradation efficiency of the ternary photocatalyst was still 87.78% of the initial, and the composition and microstructure were stable, which ensured excellent cycling performance. The mechanism analysis shows that the loaded GO can immobilize more dye molecules and dissolved oxygen, and its strong conductive ability can transfer photogenerated electrons quickly, thus improving photocatalytic activity. Meanwhile, the superoxide free radicals are predominantly involved in photocatalytic reactions. The proposed ternary composite has good magnetic reusability and stability, and it is of great concern to overcome the problem of separation and secondary pollution.