MAGNETICALLY DETACHABLE CORE-SHELL NANOCOMPOSITE

The proposed innovation refers to the microwave-assisted synthesis of a magnetic nanocomposite Fe3O4-SiO2-TiO2 core-shell structure. The core of magnetite (Fe3O4) is covered with a protective layer of SiO2 (first shell) and a photocatalytic TiO2 layer (second shell) was subsequently deposited for use in advanced oxidation processes. The specificity of the proposed innovation is that a stable and photocatalytically active Fe3O4-SiO2-TiO2 nanocomposite with a core-shell structure was produced by microwave-assisted synthesis (unconventional method) in a shorter reaction time, with reduced energy consumption and with higher yields compared to conventional methods. The SiO2 layer prevented the dissolution and oxidation of iron, while the TiO2 layer was used as a photocatalyst.

The functionality of the core-shell magnetic Fe3O4-SiO2-TiO2 nanocomposite was tested by monitoring the photocatalytic degradation of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin as an organic micropollutant with the application of UV-A radiation.