Magnetically-driven Ag/Fe3O4/graphene ternary nanocomposite as efficient photocatalyst for desulfurization of thiophene under visible-light irradiation. (3rd June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Amiri, Omid; Beshkar, Farshad; Ahmed, Sangar S.; Hamad, Bahzad Weso; Mahmood, Peshawa H.; Dezaye, Ahmed Anwar
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 46:Number 38(2021)
• Page Start: 19913
• Page End: 19925
• Publication Date: 2021-06-03
• Subjects: Nanocomposite -- Ag/Fe3O4/Graphene -- Photocatalytic -- Desulfurization -- Active species trapping; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2021.03.072
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: In current research, hierarchical flower-like Ag/Fe3 O4 /graphene ternary nanocomposites were prepared successfully by a refluxing co-precipitation method. In the synthesis process of the samples, the various reaction conditions such as reflux time and temperature, type of capping agent and reducing agent were investigated. After characterization of the products by XRD, EDS, VSM, FESEM, HRTEM and UV–Vis DRS analysis, the nanocomposites were applied as novel nanophotocatalysts for desulfurization of thiophene under visible light illumination. Results indicate that the porous flower-like Ag/Fe3 O4 /graphene photocatalyst with appropriate band gap energy (2.73 eV), has excellent photocatalytic desulfurization activity (~95%) after 2 h of visible light irradiation, even after 10 cycles. Furthermore, the reliable photo-oxidation mechanism was explained based on the active species trapping experiments, which exhibited that the oxidative h + and O2 − species were the dominant active species in the photodesulfurization process. Also, the photocatalyst particles can efficiently separate from the solution by applying a magnetic field. Highlights: Ag/Fe3 O4 /Graphene nanocomposites have been synthesized via a refluxing co-precipitation route. Effect of capping agents, reducing agent, reflux time and temperature on the morphology of the products were examined. Photocatalytic desulfurization of thiophene under visible light irradiation was evaluated utilizing various compounds of Ag/Fe3 O4 /Graphene nanocomposites. Active species trapping experiments were performed to study the main active species in the photocatalytic desulfurization process.