Preparation of SrFe12O19/SiO2/TiO2 Photocatalysts and Degradation of Methylene Blue and Petroleum Wastewater

The synthesis and application of magnetic photocatalysts have become a critical topic in organic waste treatment. In this study, SrFe12O19 powder, SrFe12O19/SiO2 particles and SrFe12O19/SiO2/TiO2 photocatalysts were successfully produced using coprecipitation technique, Stober process and solvothermal method, respectively. The degradation of methylene blue dye and simulated petroleum wastewater under simulated sunlight and ultraviolet light was used to assess the photocatalytic activity of the SrFe12O19/SiO2/TiO2 composites. Results showed the high photocatalytic performance of the produced SrFe12O19/SiO2/TiO2 photocatalysts with a 1 : 4 mass ratio of SrFe12O19 to TiO2 synthesized at 170 degrees C, whose surface has more hydroxyl groups as the active center. At 120 min of irradiation, the photodegradation rates of methylene blue and simulated petroleum wastewater were 83.94 % and 60.77 %, respectively. The photocatalytic activity of the Fe12O19/SiO2/TiO2 with ferrite semiconductor/insulator/semiconductor structure was improved by the action of the magnetic field of SrFe12O19. The SrFe12O19/SiO2/TiO2 composite particles can be recycled easily under an external magnetic field and show good application prospects in organic wastewater degradation.

Automated summary

In this study, SrFe12O19 powder, SrFe12O19/SiO2 particles, and SrFe12O19/SiO2/TiO2 photocatalysts were successfully synthesized. The photocatalytic activity of the SrFe12O19/SiO2/TiO2 composites was evaluated by degrading methylene blue dye and simulated petroleum wastewater under simulated sunlight and ultraviolet light. The results showed that the SrFe12O19/SiO2/TiO2 photocatalysts synthesized at 170 degrees C with a 1 : 4 mass ratio of SrFe12O19 to TiO2 exhibited high photocatalytic performance.