Photocatalytic degradation of Sudan red (IV) by Fe3O4 nanoparticles

Fe3O4, Fe3O4-phenol formaldehyde resin (PFR), are synthesized via a facile solvothermal method. The typical samples are characterized by a X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), a transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). It is firstly demonstrated that Fe3O4 nanomaterials show excellent photocatalytic activities to discolor Sudan red (IV) dye. In ultraviolet light area, the dye is degraded 97.7% in 180 min through Fe3O4 nanoparticle system. Compared to titania nanoparticles, Fe3O4 and Fe3O4-PFR nanomaterials exhibit many advantage on lower cost, facile separation and regeneration, good photocatalytic activities in ultraviolet and visible light area.