Mesoporous Composite Networks of Linked MnFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> and ZnFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> Nanoparticles as Efficient Photocatalysts for the Reduction of Cr(VI)

Semiconductor photocatalysis has recently emerged as an effective and eco-friendly approach that could meet the stringent requirements for sustainable environmental remediation. To this end, the fabrication of novel photocatalysts with unique electrochemical properties and high catalytic efficiency...

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Main Authors: Euaggelia Skliri, Ioannis Vamvasakis, Ioannis T. Papadas, Stelios A. Choulis, Gerasimos S. Armatas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-02-01
Series:Catalysts
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/11/2/199
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author Euaggelia Skliri
Ioannis Vamvasakis
Ioannis T. Papadas
Stelios A. Choulis
Gerasimos S. Armatas
author_facet Euaggelia Skliri
Ioannis Vamvasakis
Ioannis T. Papadas
Stelios A. Choulis
Gerasimos S. Armatas
author_sort Euaggelia Skliri
collection DOAJ
description Semiconductor photocatalysis has recently emerged as an effective and eco-friendly approach that could meet the stringent requirements for sustainable environmental remediation. To this end, the fabrication of novel photocatalysts with unique electrochemical properties and high catalytic efficiency is of utmost importance and requires adequate attention. In this work, dual component mesoporous frameworks of spinel ferrite ZnFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> (ZFO) and MnFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> (MFO) nanoparticles are reported as efficient photocatalysts for detoxification of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) and organic pollutants. The as-prepared materials, which are synthesized via a polymer-templated aggregating self-assembly method, consist of a continuous network of linked nanoparticles (ca. 6–7 nm) and exhibit large surface area (up to 91 m<sup>2</sup> g<sup>−1</sup>) arising from interstitial voids between the nanoparticles, according to electron microscopy and N<sub>2</sub> physisorption measurements. By tuning the composition, MFO-ZFO composite catalyst containing 6 wt.% MFO attains excellent photocatalytic Cr(VI) reduction activity in the presence of phenol. In-depth studies with UV-visible absorption, electrochemical and photoelectrochemical measurements show that the performance enhancement of this catalyst predominantly arises from the suitable band edge positions of constituent nanoparticles that efficiently separates and transports the charge carriers through the interface of the ZFO/MFO junctions. Besides, the open pore structure and large surface area of these ensembled networks also boost the reaction kinetics. The remarkable activity and durability of the MFO-ZFO heterostructures implies the great possibility of implementing these new nanocomposite catalysts into a realistic Cr(VI) detoxification of contaminated wastewater.
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spelling doaj.art-e19ff2bca4df4374bb6da387003cd3be2023-12-03T12:18:34ZengMDPI AGCatalysts2073-43442021-02-0111219910.3390/catal11020199Mesoporous Composite Networks of Linked MnFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> and ZnFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> Nanoparticles as Efficient Photocatalysts for the Reduction of Cr(VI)Euaggelia Skliri0Ioannis Vamvasakis1Ioannis T. Papadas2Stelios A. Choulis3Gerasimos S. Armatas4Department of Materials Science and Technology, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, GreeceDepartment of Materials Science and Technology, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, GreeceDepartment of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol 3041, CyprusDepartment of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol 3041, CyprusDepartment of Materials Science and Technology, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, GreeceSemiconductor photocatalysis has recently emerged as an effective and eco-friendly approach that could meet the stringent requirements for sustainable environmental remediation. To this end, the fabrication of novel photocatalysts with unique electrochemical properties and high catalytic efficiency is of utmost importance and requires adequate attention. In this work, dual component mesoporous frameworks of spinel ferrite ZnFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> (ZFO) and MnFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> (MFO) nanoparticles are reported as efficient photocatalysts for detoxification of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) and organic pollutants. The as-prepared materials, which are synthesized via a polymer-templated aggregating self-assembly method, consist of a continuous network of linked nanoparticles (ca. 6–7 nm) and exhibit large surface area (up to 91 m<sup>2</sup> g<sup>−1</sup>) arising from interstitial voids between the nanoparticles, according to electron microscopy and N<sub>2</sub> physisorption measurements. By tuning the composition, MFO-ZFO composite catalyst containing 6 wt.% MFO attains excellent photocatalytic Cr(VI) reduction activity in the presence of phenol. In-depth studies with UV-visible absorption, electrochemical and photoelectrochemical measurements show that the performance enhancement of this catalyst predominantly arises from the suitable band edge positions of constituent nanoparticles that efficiently separates and transports the charge carriers through the interface of the ZFO/MFO junctions. Besides, the open pore structure and large surface area of these ensembled networks also boost the reaction kinetics. The remarkable activity and durability of the MFO-ZFO heterostructures implies the great possibility of implementing these new nanocomposite catalysts into a realistic Cr(VI) detoxification of contaminated wastewater.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/11/2/199zinc ferritemanganese ferritemesoporous materialsnanoparticlesmetal oxideselectronic band structure
spellingShingle Euaggelia Skliri
Ioannis Vamvasakis
Ioannis T. Papadas
Stelios A. Choulis
Gerasimos S. Armatas
Mesoporous Composite Networks of Linked MnFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> and ZnFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> Nanoparticles as Efficient Photocatalysts for the Reduction of Cr(VI)
Catalysts
zinc ferrite
manganese ferrite
mesoporous materials
nanoparticles
metal oxides
electronic band structure
title Mesoporous Composite Networks of Linked MnFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> and ZnFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> Nanoparticles as Efficient Photocatalysts for the Reduction of Cr(VI)
title_full Mesoporous Composite Networks of Linked MnFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> and ZnFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> Nanoparticles as Efficient Photocatalysts for the Reduction of Cr(VI)
title_fullStr Mesoporous Composite Networks of Linked MnFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> and ZnFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> Nanoparticles as Efficient Photocatalysts for the Reduction of Cr(VI)
title_full_unstemmed Mesoporous Composite Networks of Linked MnFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> and ZnFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> Nanoparticles as Efficient Photocatalysts for the Reduction of Cr(VI)
title_short Mesoporous Composite Networks of Linked MnFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> and ZnFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> Nanoparticles as Efficient Photocatalysts for the Reduction of Cr(VI)
title_sort mesoporous composite networks of linked mnfe sub 2 sub o sub 4 sub and znfe sub 2 sub o sub 4 sub nanoparticles as efficient photocatalysts for the reduction of cr vi
topic zinc ferrite
manganese ferrite
mesoporous materials
nanoparticles
metal oxides
electronic band structure
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/11/2/199
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