Photocatalytic degradation of X-3B by titania-coated magnetic activated carbon under UV and visible irradiation

A novel magnetically separable composite photocatalyst, titania-coated magnetic activated carbon (TMAC), was prepared by depositing of anatase titania onto the surface of magnetic activated carbon (MAC). The MAC was prepared by a simple route: directly adsorbing of magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles onto activated carbon. The prepared samples were characterized by XRD, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The photocatalytic activity of the samples was determined by degradation of reactive brilliant red X-3B under either UV or visible irradiation, and compared to Degussa P25. The composite photocatalyst can be separated easily from solution by a magnet, its photocatalytic activity in degradation of X-3B also has dramatic enhancement compared to that of P25 titania. The composite photocatalyst can also be reused with a little reduction of its photocatalytic activity. The degradation rates of X-3B were both higher than 80% after six cycles under UV and visible irradiation.