Photocatalytic performance of magnetically separable Fe, N co-doped TiO2-cobalt ferrite nanocomposite

• FeN-TiO2-cobalt ferrite shows enhanced photocatalytic activity compared to TiO2.
• Increased visible light absorption is observed for the composite catalyst.
• Fe, N doped TiO2 exists as a dispersed phase on cobalt ferrite.
• The composite catalyst is stable for prolonged use and magnetically separable.

Photocatalytic activity of a magnetically separable cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4, CF) coupled with Fe and N co-doped TiO2 nanocomposite was investigated for the degradation of methyl orange. TiO2 and Fe, N co-doped TiO2 existed as anatase phase of TiO2. The presence of both anatase TiO2 and CF was indicated in the XRD pattern. The UV–visible spectra of all samples showed absorption in the visible region. The photocatalytic activity of these samples was examined in both UV and visible light. TiO2 co-doped with Fe and N exhibited the highest activity. Though the photocatalytic activity of the composite was slightly less than that of doped TiO2, it showed improved activity compared to TiO2. Besides, the composite has an added advantage that it is magnetically separable from the solution, which is a desired property for industrial applications. The increased photocatalytic activity is attributed to the increased optical absorption property compared to single phase TiO2.

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