Magnetic recyclable microcomposite silica-steel core with TiO2 nanocomposite shell photocatalysts for sustainable water purification

Abstract

Micron-sized steel particles encapsulated within a silica host matrix and then coated with a photocatalytic TiO2 nanocomposite shell have been prepared using sol-gel chemistry and shown to readily degrade waterborne organic pollutants during UV illumination. These silica-steel microcomposite core with TiO2 nanocomposite shell photocatalysts can be recycled multiple times from solution by magnetic separation.