Photodegradation of naphthalene over Fe(3)O(4) under visible light irradiation

Using FeCl(3) and FeSO(4) as precursors, Fe(3)O(4) were prepared by co-precipitation method via FeCl(3) and FeSO(4) aqueous solutions successively added to NaOH solution. The sample was proved by X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscope, ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry and magnetic measurement. The results showed that the prepared Fe(3)O(4) material was composed of an average diameter of about 15 nm particles and nano rods with well-crystallized magnetite and stronger superparamagnetic, getting a saturation magnetization of 49.5 emu g(−1). This Fe(3)O(4) material was found to be an effective catalyst for photodegradation of naphthalene with or without H(2)O(2) under visible light irradiation, getting 81.1% and 74.3% degradation rate in these two cases, respectively. The degradation pathway in the absence and presence of H(2)O(2) was analysed via measurement of the distribution of degradation products by GC-MS and adsorption of reactants on the surface of the catalyst by in situ DRIFTS spectra.