Efficient visible-light responsive TiO2 nanoparticles incorporated magnetic carbon photocatalysts

We developed a photocatalyst (T–FC) that incorporated anatase TiO2 (T) nanoparticles on magnetically enhanced carbon [iron oxide (F; α,γ-Fe2O3–Fe3O4) supported on activated carbon (C)] for use as a highly visible-light-active, low-cost, recyclable, and photostable catalyst for the degradation of organic dyes and bacterial sterilization. The T–FC photocatalyst with a large Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area (564.3m2g−1) was synthesized by wet-chemical processing and ultrasound irradiation. Under visible-light irradiation, the highest photocatalytic activity for T–FC ([k]=3.874h−1) was 32.6 and 3.1 times higher than those of T ([k]=0.119h−1) and FC ([k]=1.259h−1). The recyclability of T–FC was high, with a dye decolorization rate measured at ∼95.8% of the initial value after 15 recycles. Furthermore, T–FC showed more substantial antimicrobial properties against both Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) than T and FC when exposed to visible-light for 120min. Even after 10 cycles of use, T–FC killed more than 95.7% of E. coli. These results indicated that T–FC might have utility in several promising applications such as wastewater treatment and as a bactericidal agent.