Multifunctional single-phase photocatalysts: Extended near infrared photoactivity and reliable magnetic recyclability

Abstract

A practical photocatalyst should be able to integrate together various functions including the extended solar conversion, a feasible and economic recyclability, and above the room temperature operation potential, et al., in order to fulfill the spreading application needs in nowadays. In this report, a multifunctional single-phase photocatalyst which possesses a high photoactivity extended into the near infrared region, an easy magnetic recyclability and the high temperature stability was developed by doping Co into a new layer-structured Bi 7 Fe 3 Ti 3 O 21 material. Light absorption and photocatalytic activity of the resulted Bi 7 Fe 3-x Co x Ti 3 O 21 photocatalyst were extended to the long wavelength as far as 800 €‰nm. Its strong ferromagnetism above the room temperature enables the nanopowders fully recyclable in viscous solutions simply with a magnet bar in an experimental demonstration. Furthermore, such photoactivity and magnetic recyclability were heavily tested under higherature and high-viscosity conditions, which was intended to simulate the actual industrial environments. This work brings the bright light to a full availability of a new multifunctional photocatalyst, via integrating the much enhanced ferromagnetic, ferroelectric, optoelectronic properties, most importantly, into a single-phase structure.