Enhanced Visible Light Irradiation Photocatalytic Performance of MgFe2O4 After Growing with ZnO Nanoshell and Silver Nanoparticles

MgFe2O4 implanted with ZnO and silver nanoparticles has been successfully synthesized. The formation mechanism of the core similar to shell structured Ag/ZnO/MgFe2O4 nanoparticles was investigated. The efficacy of degradation of an organic dye was compared under the visible light irradiation with the individual components (MgFe2O4, ZnO, and Ag). The structure of Ag/ZnO/MgFe2O4 nanoparticles was established from detailed structural analyses using a vibrating-sample magnetometer (VSM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Ag/ZnO/MgFe2O4 nanoparticles showed a saturation magnetization (Ms) of 44 emu/g. It is seen from the results that ZnO is coated on the surface of MgFe2O4 nanoparticles, and Ag nanoparticles are attached to the edge of the ZnO/MgFe2O4 nanoparticles. In addition, the nanoparticles were found to be spherical with appropriate structures. The electron transfer mechanism greatly enhances the rhodamine B (RhB) degradation rate, which is illustrated and discussed in detail. The obtained Ag/ZnO/MgFe2O4 nanoparticles were photostable and magnetically recyclable with potential application in the degradation of organic pollutants.