Preparation of magnetic photo-Fenton catalysts based on CuFe2O4 by the starchassisted sol–gel method

Abstract

In this study, CuFe2O4 was prepared by the starch-assisted sol–gel method at various annealing temperatures in order to create new photo-Fenton catalysts which present high catalytic activity and are easy to be separated from the reaction solution owing to their high magnetic properties. The phase composition, morphology, surface groups and magnetic properties of CuFe2O4-based catalysts were characterized by XRD, SEM, FTIR and VSM, respectively. Their photo-Fenton activity was evaluated via the degradation of methylene blue under UV and visible irradiation with H2O2 as an oxidizing agent. The results indicated the increase of CuFe2O4 tetragonal spinel content with the enhanced particle size and magnetic properties when the annealing temperature was increased from 700– 900oC. We also observed the evolution of surface Cu2+ content with the modification of annealing temperatures. Among prepared catalysts, the sample annealed at 800oC showed both high magnetic properties, which allows us to easily separate the catalysts from the reaction solution by a magnet, and high photo-Fenton catalytic performance under both UV and visible light.