Photocatalytic Activity of Magnetic Nano-β-FeOOH/Fe3O4/Biochar Composites for the Enhanced Degradation of Methyl Orange Under Visible Light

A novel nano-beta-FeOOH/Fe3O4/biochar composite with enhanced photocatalytic performance and superparamagnetism was successfully fabricated via an environmentally friendly one-step method. The structural properties of the prepared composite were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and a vibrating sample magnetometer. The XPS spectrum of the as-prepared composites confirmed the presence of Fe-O-C bonds between beta-FeOOH and biochar, which could be conducive to transfer photo-generated electrons. UV-vis spectroscopy confirmed the existence of an electron-hole connection between beta-FeOOH and biochar, which promoted the rapid interface transfer of photogenerated electrons from beta-FeOOH to biochar. These novel structures could enhance the response of biochar to accelerate the photoelectrons under visible light for more free radicals. Electron spin resonance analysis and free radical quenching experiments showed that center dot OH was the primary active species in the photodegradation process of methyl orange by nano-beta-FeOOH/Fe3O4/biochar. In the synergistic photocatalytic system, beta-FeOOH/Fe3O4/biochar exhibited excellent catalytic activity for the degradation of azo dye (methyl orange), which is 2.03 times higher than that of the original biochar, while the surface area decreased from 1424.82 to 790.66 m(2)center dot g(-1). Furthermore, beta-FeOOH/Fe3O4/biochar maintained a stable structure and at least 98% catalytic activity after reuse, and it was easy to separate due to its superparamagnetism. This work highlights the enhanced photocatalytic performance of beta-FeOOH/Fe3O4/biochar material, which can be used in azo dye wastewater treatment.

Automated summary

A novel nano-beta-FeOOH/Fe3O4/biochar composite with enhanced photocatalytic performance and superparamagnetism was successfully fabricated. The structure and properties of the composite were characterized, confirming the presence of Fe-O-C bonds and electron-hole connections between beta-FeOOH and biochar. The composite exhibited excellent catalytic activity for the degradation of methyl orange, highlighting its potential for azo dye wastewater treatment.