Preparation of magnetic zeolite γ-Fe2O3/TS-1 with core/shell structure and application in photocatalytic degradation

A magnetic zeolite gamma-Fe2O3/TS-1 with core/shell structure has been prepared successfully under hydrothermal condition. The obtained material was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, Fe-57 Mossbauer spectra, transmission electron microscopy, UV-visible spectra and Magnetic Properties Measurement System. The material was used as catalyst in photocatalytic degradation of phenol or 4-chlorophenol and thiophene oxidation. In the photo-degradation of phenol, the core gamma-Fe2O3 serves as a Fenton-like catalyst, at the same time it facilitates the separation of the catalyst from solution. TS-1 shell can protect the gamma-Fe2O3 core, meanwhile it also presents catalytic activity in the photo-degradation. In thiophene oxidation, gamma-Fe2O3/TS-1 retains the high catalytic activity of TS-1, but the composite material can be easily recycled by applying an external magnetic field. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.