Magnetically separable Au-TiO2/nanocube ZnFe2O4 composite for chlortetracycline removal in wastewater under visible light

Magnetically recyclable Au-TiOdnanocube ZnFe2O4 (Au-TiO2/NC ZFO) composite photocatalysts have been successfully prepared by a hydrothermal method. It was revealed that Au-TiO2/NC ZFO composite with 25% mass percentage of Au TiO2 exhibited a significantly enhanced photocatalytic efficiency toward chlortetracycline (CTC) degradation as compared to the binary TiO2/NC ZFO composite. The enhanced performance can be attributed to the addition of Au nanoparticles, which act as electron traps aiding the electron-hole separation and increasing the light absorption through the surface plasmon resonance effect. The synthesized catalyst showed good stability after three cycles and could be easily separated by a magnet and reused. (C)2016 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.