Improved visible-light photocatalytic activities of carboxylate functionalized polystyrene@Fe3O4 nanocomposite and its mechanism insight
Abstract
Herein, we report a unique approach to synthesize dimpled shape carboxylate functionalized polystyrene (C-PS), which were subsequently coated with Fe3O4 nanoparticles in situ by co-precipitation method. The magnetization of C-PS@Fe3O4 nanocomposite has been verified through vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) measurements.
The amount optimized carboxylate functionalized magnetic polystyrene (C-PS@Fe3O4) exhibits 5.2 and 2.2-times enhancement in visible-light photocatalytic activities for 2,4-dichlorophenol degradation compared with that of pristine PS and C-PS. Based on various electro-analytical techniques like surface photovoltage spectroscopy, temperature-programmed desorption, Uv-DRS, Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and VSM confirming magnetic nature of C-PS@Fe3O4.
Our results suggest that the improvement in visible light activities of C-PS@Fe3O4 are comprehensively assigned to the large and active surface area due to charge separation, catalytic functions, and magnetic nature induced by Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Finally, this work will provide new strategy to synthesize visible light active nano photocatalysts with controllable shape, which for efficient environmental remediation.