Magnetically separable highly efficient full-spectrum light-driven WO2.72/Fe3O4 nanocomposites for photocatalytic reduction of carcinogenic chromium (VI) and organic dye degradation

In this study, magnetically separable, highly efficient full-spectrum light active WO2.72/Fe3O4 nanocomposites were synthesized by a solvothermal method and well characterized. The photocatalytic property of WO2.72/Fe3O4 nanocomposite toward photodegradation of methylene blue (MB), methyl orange (MO), and rhodamine B (Rh B) dyes under solar and photoreduction of Cr(VI) under ultraviolet (UV), visible, and solar light were studied. The WO2.72/Fe3O4 nanocomposite exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity for the photodegradation of MO, MB, and Rh B dyes under solar light and photoreduction of Cr(VI) under visible, UV, and solar light. The WO-FO-0.5 nanocomposite exhibited 2.9, 1.6, and 2.0 times the photocatalytic activity of Fe3O4 for Cr(VI) photoreduction under solar, visible, and UV and 20, 29.2, and 16 times that of Fe3O4, for Rh B, MB, and MO under solar light. It doesn't show only universal applicability for photocatalysis of different organic and inorganic pollutants but, also outstanding stability and easy separability. The nanocomposite also exhibited higher photocatalytic activity than that reported for photoreduction Cr(VI) under solar light. It is also convenient for large-scale applications due to its low cost, eco-friendliness, and easy preparation. Therefore, it is a promising candidate for environmental remediation under full-spectrum solar light. (c) 2020 Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.