Photoreduction of Pb(II) using TiO2 catalyst modified with Fe3O4 nanoparticles

The TiO2/Fe3O4 nanoparticle has been successfully synthesized and the material is then applied as a photocatalyst to reduce Pb(II). The Fe3O4 was synthesized through sono-coprecipitation method using NH4OH as a precipitating agent. The coating TiO2 onto Fe3O4 was performed respectively via hydrolysis reaction and sol-gel process using ammonium sulfate and TTIP as a reagent of TiO2. This study investigated several parameters such as the effect of time, equilibrium state and material responsiveness toward ultraviolet light. The XRD measurement indicated the presence of Fe3O4 and TiO2 while TEM image displayed the photocatalyst had a nanosized particle with approximately 60 nm in size. An activity test at pH 4, the equilibrium of photoreduction process showed at 60 minutes. The kinetic parameter of Pb(II) reduction at various catalyst presented that TiO2/Fe3O4 nanoparticle had better reduction rate constant than that of TiO2. Reusing of TiO2/Fe3O4 photocatalysts showed the results of Pb (II) photoreduction were not significantly decrease and the results of photocatalysis were still better than TiO2. © 2020 Trans Tech Publications Ltd, Switzerland.