Magnetically separable hybrid CdS-TiO2-Fe3O4 nanomaterial: Enhanced photocatalystic activity under UV and visible irradiation

Magnetically separable photocatalyst of TiO2-CdS-Fe3O4@SiO2 nanocomposite was successfully prepared through a microwave heating method. The products exhibit enhanced photocatalystic activity which is more efficient than that of pure CdS and Degussa P25 TiO2 toward the degradation of RhB under both UV and visible irradiation. This is attributed to the charge separation and transformation from CdS to TiO2. The hysteresis loop of TiO2-CdS-Fe3O4@SiO2 nanocomposite indicates an excellent magnetic property with the saturated magnetization of 9 emu/g. We also show the fast magnetic separation behaviour of the TiO2-CdS-Fe3O4@SiO2 nanocomposite to remove and recycle the photocatalyst from the solution. These indicate TiO2-CdS-Fe3O4@SiO2 nanocomposite is an effective and convenient recyclable photocatalyst.