Synthesis of TiO2@Fe2O3 Nanocomposites as effective Photocatalyst for degradation of p-nitophenol in oilfield wastewater

The objective of this research was to create a TiO2@Fe2O3 nanocomposite that would act as an effective photocatalyst for the degradation of p-nitrophenol (P-NP) as an organic compound in oilfield wastewater. Photocatalysts were synthesized using the ultrasonic-assisted impregnation technique. XRD and SEM analyses of photocatalyst structure and morphology revealed a combination of anatase-phase TiO2 rod-like nanoparticles and hematite-phase spherical Fe2O3 nanoparticles in a TiO2@Fe2O3 nanocomposite. Electrochemical studies revealed that the electron transfer rate of the TiO2@Fe2O3 nanocomposite toward TiO2 and Fe2O3 was increased. Optical studies revealed that the optical band gap values of TiO2, Fe2O3, and TiO2@Fe2O3 nanocomposite were 2.10, 3.18, and 2.63 eV, respectively, demonstrating a significant enhancement to enable visible-light absorption of the heterostructured TiO2@Fe2O3 nanocomposite. Photocatalytic degradation studies revealed that TiO2, Fe2O3, and TiO2@Fe2O3 nanocomposite had 100% removal efficiency after being exposed to 70, 100, and 60 minutes of solar light, respectively. The photocatalytic performance of TiO2@Fe2O3 nanocomposite for P-NP treatment was compared to that of previously reported photocatalysts, and the results showed that TiO2@Fe2O3 nanocomposite revealed a fast rate of photocatalytic treatment due to the synergistic effect of TiO2 and Fe2O3 in nanocomposite. The results of the investigation into the performance of TiO2@Fe2O3 nanocomposite for treatment of P-NP from oilfield wastewater revealed that TiO2@Fe2O3 nanocomposite for treatment of P-NP from actual oilfield wastewater showed efficient photocatalytic degradation.