Work

A Green Sol–Gel Route to Fe 3 O 4 @TiO 2 –CuO Photocatalysts with Structural Stability, Visible–Light Activity, and Magnetic Recoverability

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide In this work, we present the synthesis of a multifunctional Fe 3 O 4 @TiO 2 –CuO photocatalyst, integrating Magonia pubescens plant extract and urea-assisted pH modulation. The as-prepared composite exhibits outstanding visible-light photocatalytic performance, achieving 75% degradation of rhodamine B (RhB, 15 ppm) after 5 h under 100 W LED irradiation and retaining more than 45% activity across four reuse cycles enabled by simple magnetic recovery. Notably, urea-assisted synthesis reduces iron leaching by ∼50%, preserving magnetic integrity and enabling efficient catalyst separation. Comprehensive structural, morphological, and surface analyses (TEM, XRD, XPS, XRF, VSM, ICP, GC–MS) confirm the formation of a robust, magnetically recoverable hybrid with a narrowed band gap of 1.65 eV and enhanced stability. GC–MS analysis revealed progressive mineralization of RhB into low-molecular-weight intermediates.

Source: ACS Omega

DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.5c09939

Authors: Gabriel Bardella Stelzer, Isabella C. Prescilio, Leonardo G. Vasconcelos, Andris F. Bakuzis, Marcos J. Jacinto

Institutions: Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Institute of Chemistry, Viện Hóa học, Institute of Chemistry, Universidade Federal de Goiás

Language: English

Topic: TiO2 Photocatalysis and Solar Cells

Subfield: Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

Field: Energy

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Clean water and sanitation

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,935