Synthesis and Characterization of Magnetically Modified Composites (TiNT/CNT/Fe3O4)

Abstract

In this study, Titania nanotube (TiNT) had been modified by combining it with carbon nanotube (CNT) and magnetic material, Fe3O4, forming magnetically modified composite (TiNT/CNT/Fe3O4). Magnetic properties were added to the composite to overcome photocatalytic application problem for waste water treatment case, especially the catalyst recovery issue. Prior to the modifications, TiNT was synthesized from TiO2 P25 using hydrothermal process at 130 °C for 6 h. TiNT and CNT were then combined using hetero agglomeration process in acid condition to obtain TiNT/CNT composite. Various amount of Fe3O4 nanoparticles were then composed on the surface of TiNT/CNT using ultrasonic assisted in-situ process, producing TiNT/CNT/Fe3O4 magnetic composites. The samples were analyzed with various characterizations: zeta potential, FT-IR, FE-SEM/EDX, XRD, and VSM. Experimental results show that TiNT/CNT/Fe3O4 composite with good crystallinity and morphology had been successfully synthesized. The optimal amount of Fe3O4 in TiNT/CNT/Fe3O4 magnetic composite was 0.3 times the amount of TiNT to minimize the photodissolution effect, while the composite was still categorized as superparamagnetic materials (with the saturation magnetization value of 21.1 emu/g and coercivity of 84.4 oe). The magnetic separation test also confirmed that prepared magnetic composites could be effectively separated from the test solution.