TiO2@CoFe2O4 Nanofiber for the Photocatalytic Degradation of Direct Red 80

Here, we report a significant enhancement in photo-activity of titanium dioxide by combination of CoFe2O4 and TiO2 structure. First, CoFe2O4, TiO2 and TiO2@CoFe2O4 nanofibers were prepared via a combination of electrospinning method and in-situ polymerization. The morphology and crystalline structure of composite nanofibers were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction, comprehensively. Because of the magnetic activity of CoFe2O4 ferrites, separation of the photocatalysts, after photo-oxidative process, is facilated in a medium of TiO2@CoFe2O4. The photocatalytic activities of the nanofibers were conducted by photo-oxidative decomposition of Direct Red 80 (DR80). Furthermore, the influence of some parameters affecting on the dye removal including nanofiber dosage, initial dye concentration and solution pH were studied to gain a maximum degradation. The results confirmed that initial dye concentration has the highest impact on the photo-degradation of DR80. Among the synthesized samples, TiO2@CoFe2O4 composite demonstrated much higher photocatalytic activity as well as initial degradation rate.