Preparation of magnetic zeolite γ-Fe2O3/TS-1 with core/shell structure and application in photocatalytic degradation

• γ-Fe2O3/TS-1 is prepared under hydrothermal conditions.
• PDDA serves as a connector between the core and TS-1 colloid.
• Void space has been fabricated by PDDA after calcination.
• γ-Fe2O3 and Ti4+ are jointly applied to the pollutant treatment for the first time.
• γ-Fe2O3/TS-1 exhibits excellent synergetic catalysis and good regenerability.

A magnetic zeolite γ-Fe2O3/TS-1 with core/shell structure has been prepared successfully under hydrothermal condition. The obtained material was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, 57Fe Mössbauer spectra, transmission electron microscopy, UV–visible spectra and Magnetic Properties Measurement System. The material was used as catalyst in photocatalytic degradation of phenol or 4-chlorophenol and thiophene oxidation. In the photo-degradation of phenol, the core γ-Fe2O3 serves as a Fenton-like catalyst, at the same time it facilitates the separation of the catalyst from solution. TS-1 shell can protect the γ-Fe2O3 core, meanwhile it also presents catalytic activity in the photo-degradation. In thiophene oxidation, γ-Fe2O3/TS-1 retains the high catalytic activity of TS-1, but the composite material can be easily recycled by applying an external magnetic field.

A core/shell structured γ-Fe2O3/TS-1 with good performance in photocatalytic degradation has been successfully prepared by using PDDA as a connector between the core and TS-1 shell, followed crystallization and calcination.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide