Synthesis and photocatalytic performance of magnetic MnFe۲O۴/CdO/ZSM-۵ nanocomposite for the degradation of methyl orange (MO) dye

In this research, magnetic MnFe۲O۴/CdO/ZSM-۵ catalyst was synthesized via a hydrothermal method for the photodegradation of methyl orange (MO) dye. The structural and magnetic features of the nanocomposite were identified by means of XRD, FESEM, FTIR, EDX, VSM, AFM, and BET. To investigate the photocatalytic activity of the as-synthesized MnFe۲O۴/CdO/ZSM-۵ nanocomposite, the H۲O۲-assisted degradation of methyl orange (MO) in water media was evaluated. The results obtained revealed that the ternary MnFe۲O۴/CdO/ZSM-۵ nanocomposite had better performance for the photodegradation of MO dye than MnFe۲O۴/CdO, CdO/ZSM-۵, MnFe۲O۴/ZSM-۵, CdO or MnFe۲O۴. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of the as-synthesized nanocomposite could be related to the rapid production and separation of charge carriers (electrons and holes) in CdO and MnFe۲O۴ and their transfer to the ZSM-۵ surface. Plus, magnetic property of MnFe۲O۴ and the relatively high specific surface area of the CdO/ZSM-۵ improve the degradation yield of MO dye. The recyclability of the nanocomposite from aqueous solution could be easily gained by an external magnetic field. The impact parameters on the photocatalytic performance like initial MO concentration and catalyst dosage were also investigated. The trapping experiments illustrated that free •OH radicals are the main active species in the degradation of MO dye.

Keywords:

MnFe۲O۴/CdO/ZSM-۵ , zeolite , nanocomposite , photocatalyst , MO dye , photodegradation