Oil spill degradation using floating magnetic simulated solar light-driven nano photocatalysts of Fe3O4-ZnO supported on lightweight minerals

Visible light-driven Fe3O4-ZnO nano photocatalyst with magnetic properties has been impregnated on floating minerals of Perlite, Pumice, Vermiculite, and Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate (LECA). The physicochemical properties of as-prepared photocatalysts were determined by means of XRD, FESEM, BET, EDX, TEM-SAED, FTIR, and UV-Vis DRS techniques. The activity of as-prepared floating photocatalysts was tested towards degradation of benzene on the water as a model oil spill. The results show that, the Fe3O4-ZnO on Perlite (F.Z. Perlite) indicates the highest benzene removal rate of 85.4 +/- 2.01% after 180 min irradiation of simulated solar light at pH = 7, initial benzene concentration of 5% v/v and 0.4 g/L catalyst loading. In similar condition, bare perlite and blank test (photolysis) degraded 28.1 +/- 0.28% and 23.1 +/- 1.25% of benzene, respectively. The supreme photo activity of F.Z.Perlite photocatalyst was attributed to the uniform dispersion of particles, small average particle size and strong interaction between components. This sample indicated the lowest band-gap energy of 3 eV as well. Moreover, the activity of F.Z.Perlite in benzene photodegradation was evaluated after four runs and 23% of activity lost was observed.

Automated summary

In this study, a visible light-driven Fe3O4-ZnO nano photocatalyst with magnetic properties was impregnated on floating minerals such as Perlite, and its activity in benzene degradation was investigated. The Fe3O4-ZnO photocatalyst on Perlite showed the highest benzene removal rate and the lowest band-gap energy. After four runs, a 23% decrease in activity was observed.