Synthesis of superparamagnetic and whole visible light-photocatalytic Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4-core/Ag2O-capped TiO2-shell nanospheres

Cubic Ag2O-deposited anatase TiO2 nanospheres with cubic Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4-core have been obtained by a 2-stage synthesis. They have been characterized by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, high-resolution scanning and transmission electron microscopies, X-ray and selected area electron diffractometries, vibrating sample magnetometry, nitrogen adsorption and desorption, and UV-visible diffuse reflectance and photoluminescence spectroscopies. The synthesized samples are superparamagnetic and absorb UV-A light and visible light in the entire wavelength range. Structure directing agent polyvinylpyrrolidone provides little influence on the Ag2O-capping process. The synthesized Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 -core/Ag2O-capped TiO2-shell nanospheres are whole visible light-active magnetically recoverable photocatalyst; capped Ag2O sensitizes anatase TiO2 under whole visible light and the ferrite core buried in TiO2 lattice enables magnetic recovery of the photocatalytic nanospheres. [GRAPHICS] .

Automated summary

Cubic Ag2O-deposited anatase TiO2 nanospheres with cubic Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4-core have been synthesized in a 2-stage method. The synthesized nanospheres exhibit superparamagnetic properties and are capable of absorbing UV-A light and visible light throughout the entire wavelength range. The presence of a ferrite core enables magnetic recovery of the photocatalytic nanospheres under visible light.