Photocatalytic degradation of acetic acid on spinel ferrites MFe2O4 (MÂ =Â Mg, Zn, and Cd)

Spinel ferrites MFe2O4(M = Mg, Zn, and Cd) with Fe(III) in a d5 electron configuration were prepared via a conventional solid-state reaction. The amount of CO2 generated by the photocatalytic degradation of acetic acid on these ferrites was measured under irradiation by a xenon lamp with a power of 300 W. Photocatalytic degradation was observed for all the compounds, and the results revealed that MgFe2O4 exhibited the highest degradation, i.e., 196 μmol/g/h. The degradation in the presence of MFe2O4(M = Mg, Zn, and Cd) increased with increasing heating condition.