Preparation and characterization of V/TiO2 nanocatalyst with magnetic nucleus of iron

•Fe-V/TiO2 nanocatalyst is prepared.•Combination of sol–gel and wetness impregnation methods.•Facile separation of catalyst from medium by magnet.

A magnetic composite containing V/TiO2 was prepared by combination of sol–gel and wetness impregnation methods. The effects of synthesis temperature, different weight percents of Fe supported on TiO2, vanadium loading and the heating rate of calcination on the structure and morphology of nanocatalyst were investigated. The optimum conditions for synthesized catalyst were 40 wt.% of Fe, 15 wt.% of V and synthesis temperature equal to 30 °C. Characterization of catalyst is carried out using XRD, TGA, DSC, SEM, FTIR and N2 physisorption measurements. The magnetic character of nanocatalyst was measured using VSM, which showed the typical paramagnetic behavior of sample at room temperature with a saturation magnetization value equal to 8.283 emu/g. The nanocatalyst has a particle size about 56 nm and can easily be separated from medium by a magnet.

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