The Efficient Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Pollutants on the MnFe(2)O(4)/BGA Composite under Visible Light

The MnFe(2)O(4)/BGA (boron-doped graphene aerogel) composite was prepared by hydrothermal treatment of MnFe(2)O(4) particles, boric acid, and graphene oxide. When applied as a photo-Fenton catalyst for the degradation of rhodamine B, the MnFe(2)O(4)/BGA composite yielded a degradation efficiency much higher than the sum of those of individual MnFe(2)O(4) and BGA under identical experimental conditions, indicating a strong synergetic effect established between MnFe(2)O(4) and BGA. The catalytic degradation of rhodamine B was proved to follow pseudo first-order kinetics, and the apparent reaction rate constant on the MnFe(2)O(4)/BGA composite was calculated to be three- and seven-fold that on BGA and MnFe(2)O(4), respectively. Moreover, the MnFe(2)O(4)/BGA composite also demonstrated good reusability and could be reused for four cycles without obvious loss of photocatalytic activity.