Heterostructured Co 0.5 Mn 0.5 Fe 2 O 4 -polyaniline nanofibers: highly efficient photocatalysis for photodegradation of methyl orange

Abstract

1D hollow Co_0.5Mn_0.5Fe₂O₄-PANI nanofibers were synthesized through sequential processes of electrospinning, heat treatment in air, and chemical polymerization of polyaniline. The morphology and photocatalytic properties of heterostructured Co_0.5Mn_0.5Fe₂O₄-PANI as photocatalysts were investigated by SEM, TEM, XRD, TGA, and photocatalysis experiments of methyl orange under visible-light irradiation. The hollow Co_0.5Mn_0.5Fe₂O₄-PANI nanofibers showed a high photocatalytic degradation efficiency of 92% within 120 min and a kinetic constant of 115-times higher than hollow Co_0.5Mn_0.5Fe₂O₄ nanofibers. These high photocatalytic properties are attributed to both unique 1D hollow nanofiber morphology with macroporous hollow core, PANI/Co_0.5Mn_0.5Fe₂O₄/PANI shell and the heterojunction structure composed of Co_0.5Mn_0.5Fe₂O₄ and PANI. In addition, the outstanding magnetic properties of the hollow Co_0.5Mn_0.5Fe₂O₄-PANI nanofibers with its inherent spinel structure facilitate the recovery of the photocatalyst.