Synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic degradation properties of ZnO/ZnFe2O4 magnetic heterostructures

Abstract

Herein, we present a facile strategy for the preparation of uniform ZnO/ZnFe₂O₄ hierarchical heterostructures using a Zn–Fe mixed metal–organic framework (Zn(Fe)-MOF) as a precursor via a calcination process. The phase structures, morphologies, and magnetic properties of the as-obtained ZnO/ZnFe₂O₄ heterostructures were characterized in detail by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). The ZnO/ZnFe₂O₄ heterostructures obtained after calcination retained the special microsphere morphology of the Zn(Fe)-MOF, which was assembled from numerous flake-like nanosheets. When served as a photocatalyst for the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) and methylene blue (MB) dyes in an aqueous solution, the ZnO/ZnFe₂O₄ heterostructures exhibited a relatively high catalytic performance and excellent resuability upon Xe lamp irradiation. Moreover, they can easily be seperated from the reaction system by an extra magnet; this suggests their potential application in water treatment. This study provides an effective route for the construction of novel multi-component photocatalysts with intriguing microstructures.