Synthesis of novel CQDs/CeO2/SrFe12O19 magnetic separation photocatalysts and synergic adsorption-photocatalytic degradation effect for methylene blue dye removal

Abstract

A novel carbon quantum dots decorated n-n type CeO2/SrFe12O19 (CQDs/CeO2/SrFe12O19) magnetic separation photocatalyst was successfully synthesized via a hydrothermal method and gamma-ray assisted polyacrylamide gel method combined with low temperature sintering technology. To study the feasibility of CQDs/CeO2/SrFe12O19 magnetic separation photocatalyst as an adsorbent and photocatalyst to remove methylene blue (MB) dye, a series of heterostructure construction, adsorption and photocatalytic experiments were carried out. When compared with pristine CeO2, CQDs/CeO2 or SrFe12O19/CeO2, the CQDs/CeO2/SrFe12O19 magnetic separation photocatalyst exhibit a higher efficiency towards adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of MB dye molecule under simulated sunlight irradiation. The present work suggests that the CQDs/CeO2/SrFe12O19 magnetic separation photocatalyst have rapid magnetic separation, simple synthetic process, high optical absorption coefficient, excellent adsorption capacity, high photocatalytic activity, higher stability and reusability, which shows potential application for removing the organic pollutants in wastewater.