Iron oxide-based magnetic photocatalysts: Recent developments, challenges, and environmental applications

Abstract

Magnetic separation of the solid photocatalyst from the reacting suspension has received great interest in recent research because it offers a suitable way for removing and recycling the heterogeneous photocatalytic material particles preventing the agglomeration and sedimentation during and after their use. The use of iron oxides such as heterogeneous photocatalysts is an appropriate choice to obtain a suitable photocatalyst easily separable from the fluid. This chapter presents a detailed investigation of iron oxide-based magnetic photocatalysts (IOMPs). We will discuss the required conditions for the synthesis of these photocatalysts, followed by their applications for the removal of organic pollutants. The combination of iron oxides (or other metal-FeO cores) with polymers, metal oxides, and carbonic materials is also elucidated. The chapter shows the advancements toward the synthesis of stable IOMPs, their physical-chemical features, appearance, recyclability, and photocatalytic efficacy.