In this study, we have synthesized magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles from the co-precipitation method obtaining small aggregates with a hydrodynamic size of 46 nm, which displayed a saturation magnetization of 48 emu/g.  Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles were obtained from an eco-friendly process by the precipitation of titanium isopropoxide solution using lemon grass leaves extract. The synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles exhibited a crystal size of 19 � 4 nm and a 96% of the crystal phase anatase. These nanocomposites were prepared by the encapsulation of Fe3O4 nanoparticles in a poly-siloxane matrix. We obtained two samples of nanocomposites (A and B), after the addition of 0.1 g and 0.3 g of TiO2 nanoparticles, respectively.  The nanocomposites photocatalytic activity was tested in aqueous suspension with 50 ppm of phenol under artificial UV radiation (?=375 nm). A removal of 95% of phenol was achieved with 0.2 g/L of the nanocomposite-B. The nanoparticles were removed by applying a magnetic field.  Regarding of the re-use of these nanomaterials, we observed a 25% decrease of their photocatalytic activity after 5 continuous cycles.

Photodegradation of phenol using multifunctional magnetic/titanium dioxide nanocomposites

248th National Meeting (2014)

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