Preparation and Photocatalytic Activity of Cu2O/Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 Microtubules

Abstract

Combining the dip-calcination method, nickel-zinc ferrite (Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄) microtubules were prepared using absorbent cotton as template. The Cu₂O/Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ microtubules were prepared by low-temperature liquid phase method in ethanol/polyethylene glycol/H₂O system of three-phase solution, which is using copper acetate and modified Ni_0.5 Zn_0.5 Fe₂O₄ microtubules as the raw materials and glucose as a reducing agent. The as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The photocatalytic activity of the Cu₂O/Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ composite microtubules was evaluated by degradation of methyl orange under ultraviolet lamp. The results show that the microtubule external diameter is between 6 and 8 μm, the wall thickness is between 0.5 and 2 μm. The Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ microtubules are composed of numerous spherical Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ nanocrystals with the nearly uniform size about 125 nm. The results also show that Cu₂O/Ni_0.5 Zn_0.5 Fe₂O₄ microtubules have photocatalytic activity under the ultraviolet lamp and can be separated from the system by applying magnetic field.