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Synthesis of superparamagnetic and whole visible light-photocatalytic Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4-core/Ag2O-capped TiO2-shell nanospheres

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Abstract

Cubic Ag2O-deposited anatase TiO2 nanospheres with cubic Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4-core have been obtained by a 2-stage synthesis. They have been characterized by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, high-resolution scanning and transmission electron microscopies, X-ray and selected area electron diffractometries, vibrating sample magnetometry, nitrogen adsorption and desorption, and UV–visible diffuse reflectance and photoluminescence spectroscopies. The synthesized samples are superparamagnetic and absorb UV-A light and visible light in the entire wavelength range. Structure directing agent polyvinylpyrrolidone provides little influence on the Ag2O-capping process. The synthesized Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4-core/Ag2O-capped TiO2-shell nanospheres are whole visible light-active magnetically recoverable photocatalyst; capped Ag2O sensitizes anatase TiO2 under whole visible light and the ferrite core buried in TiO2 lattice enables magnetic recovery of the photocatalytic nanospheres.

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi [21(0887)12/EMR-II] under Emeritus Scientist Scheme.

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Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, India, 21(0887)/12/EMR-II, Chockalingam Karunakaran.

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  1. Department of Chemistry, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, 608002, India

    Chockalingam Karunakaran, I. Jeba Singh & Pazhamalai Vinayagamoorthy

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  1. Chockalingam Karunakaran
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  2. I. Jeba Singh
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Correspondence to Chockalingam Karunakaran.

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Karunakaran, C., Singh, I.J. & Vinayagamoorthy, P. Synthesis of superparamagnetic and whole visible light-photocatalytic Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4-core/Ag2O-capped TiO2-shell nanospheres. J. Korean Ceram. Soc. 60, 283–292 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43207-022-00262-5

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