Abstract
A core-shell NiFe2O4/SiO2-TiO2 nanocomposite photocatalyst was prepared in a three-stage manner. The NiFe2O4 core was prepared by applying an organic precursor method. This core was coated with SiO2 and then with TiO2. The optimum preparation conditions were determined by examining various molar ratios of Si, Ti, ethanol, and ammonia. X-ray powder diffraction, DR-UV, TEM, and magnetization techniques were used to characterize the nanocomposite. Using molar ratios of SiO2/NiFe2O4 = 0.03, ethanol/NiFe2O4 = 20, ammonia/NiFe2O4 = 1, and Ti/ethanol = 0.8, a magnetic photocatalyst of enhanced properties was synthesized. A surface area of 520 m2/g, saturation magnetization value of 53.2 amu/g, coercivity of 500.0 Oe, and a band gap of 2.54 eV were observed for the synthesized NiFe2O4/SiO2-TiO2 nanocomposite photocatalyst. These characteristics allowed excellent photodegradation of the toxic cyanide ion. In addition, the strong magnetic properties allow for the efficient reuse of the catalyst.