Synthesis of Fe₂O₃/TiO₂/graphene aerogel composite as an efficient Fenton-photocatalyst for removal of methylene blue from aqueous solution

Abstract

In the present study, the composites including Fe₂O₃/TiO₂/graphene aerogel (Fe₂O₃/TiO₂/GA) and TiO₂/graphene aerogel (TiO₂/GA), and graphene aerogel (GA) were synthesized by hydrothermal method. The as-prepared materials were characterized using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray, Raman spectroscopy. The characterization results showed that the Fe₂O₃ and TiO₂ particles were uniformity attached in GA structure, increasing number of active sites of materials and extending the light absorption range. The removal performance of Fe₂O₃/TiO₂/GA is 97.38 % which is higher than of TiO₂/GA and TiO₂. The degradation data were well consisted with pseudo-first-order kinetic model. Accordingly, Fe₂O₃/TiO₂/GA is potential to be used as an efficient photocatalysis for treatment of MB from water.