Magnetic NiFe2O4/BiOBr composites: One-pot combustion synthesis and enhanced visible-light photocatalytic properties

• NiFe2O4/BiOBr photocatalysts were synthesized by a simple one-pot combustion method.
• The magnetic properties of NiFe2O4/BiOBr ensure the magnetic separation.
• NiFe2O4/BiOBr photocatalysts exhibit improved photodegradation performances.
• Dominant reactive species (O2− and h+) and photocatalytic mechanism were discussed.

Magnetic NiFe2O4/BiOBr composites with enhanced photocatalytic activity for degradation of Rhodamine B were synthesized by a simple one-pot combustion method. The structures, morphologies, optical, magnetic and visible-light photocatalytic properties of as-prepared samples were characterized. Experimental results showed that NiFe2O4/BiOBr composites with different molar ratios of NiFe2O4 to BiOBr (0–0.2) were successfully obtained. The photodegradation performance of as-prepared photocatalysts gradually increases with increasing molar ratio of NiFe2O4/BiOBr. The composite with a NiFe2O4/BiOBr mole ratio of 0.2 shows the best visible-light photodegradation performance of Rhodamine B, which can be ascribed to the efficient separation of photo-generated electrons and holes. The magnetic properties of NiFe2O4/BiOBr photocatalysts ensure the magnetic separation by using a magnet. Moreover, no obvious deterioration was observed after six-cycle photodegradation experiments.

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